Calgary Civic Election: Ward 6 Discussion

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by fotze

Old people and crackheads in those neighborhoods.

Someone just needs to get voter turnout in Little Mogadishu up and we might stand a chance against the oldies and crackheads!

[yads]

So far I've been leaning towards Yanitsos and Royer. Yanitsos has a fairly successful business background. I like Royer's business experience and published author does have a nice ring to it.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by First Lady

He must be new, I don't recall him at all. I met Brent Mielke at this summers Wildrose Stampede BBQ. Not that, that means anything....just sayin'.

First Lady - This is acatually a ward 4 question (and I don't want to derail the ward 6 thead), but I'm curious what your thoughts on the NCLRT alignment. Currently it's planned for Nose Creek where no one lives.

Nenshi for instance says the route should be rethought and be done in an alignment more central to this part of the city - perhaps below Centre Street. In my mind, this would certainly be more expensive in the short term, but would result in more ridership from the 110,000 people who live in North central Calgary including Ward 4 and would help spur redevelopment on urban corridors like Centre Street.

Thoughts?

[Aeneas]

Pootmans is the only one who came to my door. Not much to say about him, but the lady staff member who preceded him to the door was very sharp.

She was still talking when he showed up and he listened, and kind of raised his eyebrows as if he was very impressed or surprised.

I would have voted for her.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Bunk

First Lady - This is acatually a ward 4 question (and I don't want to derail the ward 6 thead), but I'm curious what your thoughts on the NCLRT alignment. Currently it's planned for Nose Creek where no one lives.

Nenshi for instance says the route should be rethought and be done in an alignment more central to this part of the city - perhaps below Centre Street. In my mind, this would certainly be more expensive in the short term, but would result in more ridership from the 110,000 people who live in North central Calgary including Ward 4 and would help spur redevelopment on urban corridors like Centre Street.

Thoughts?

I haven't researched this in depth, but my initial thoughts on the proposed route was skepticism. I definitely am in favor of looking at more logical routes (ie: I wouldn't rule out Edm. Tr or 4 St. NW either)

Since the '80s I've preferred an underground system. All of the above roadways are quite narrow. So unless we get into doing mass widening (think 16 Ave) we need to explore other options.
The last thing I want to see is a repeat of 36 St in the NE.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by First Lady

I haven't researched this in depth, but my initial thoughts on the proposed route was skepticism. I definitely am in favor of looking at more logical routes (ie: I wouldn't rule out Edm. Tr or 4 St. NW either)

Since the '80s I've preferred an underground system. All of the above roadways are quite narrow. So unless we get into doing mass widening (think 16 Ave) we need to explore other options.
The last thing I want to see is a repeat of 36 St in the NE.

Indeed. Edm Tr and 4th are also potential options. A route through these neighbourhoods would certainly need to be underground. The positive is that it would be able to be a logical extension of the SE line, which will terminate underground in Eau Claire below 2nd street. Logically, you could carry the line under the river and under Centre Street, which would require about 10km underground to Beddington. This is not a cheap proposition, but Centre Street has enormous potential as a midrise (4-10 storey) urban corridor (as it is designated in the MDP).

For reference, the new Canada line in Vancouver, which has a similar overall length and similar amount below ground cost $2 billion. Probably something like $700 million more than a Nose Creek alignment, but I believe the approximately 110,000 more people a centre street (or edm tr/4th street nw) alignment would serve from Crescent Heights to Beddington) would produce a lot more ridership and you wouldn't require the redundancy of routes like the #2, #3, #301 BRT etc.

The other problem with the Nose Creek alignment is that it would have to connect presumably to the NE line to enter downtown, which is already a congested line coming in and out of the core. Further, at what point would the train turn around to go back north?

So many flaws to this current plan. This is a major piece of infrastructure that will be around for 100+ years. The massively greater long term benefit is worth the higher short term cost.

Just something to think about...

[Nage Waza]

Randy Royer seems to be the most qualified and the most studied of the group. He is also local to the area. I want the old regime out and new people in, and he seems to fit that.
After checking a few sites, Royer seems pretty decent.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

Randy Royer seems to be the most qualified and the most studied of the group. He is also local to the area. I want the old regime out and new people in, and he seems to fit that.
After checking a few sites, Royer seems pretty decent.

He's pro-Isreal, so he's out.

[Mango]

Just taking a look at Dimic's website:

Please vote for me:

If you would like a better life for you and your family;
If you would like Calgary to resemble cities like Dallas, Nashville, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City;
If you would like Calgary to host the Olympic Games again;
If you want the Calgary Flames to be champions again;
If you would like to be proud of this city and the people who represent you.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by yads

I like Royer's business experience and published author does have a nice ring to it.

Is he actually published? His website says he wrote a book but I can't find any reference to it anywhere else. I looked because I was hoping to find some sort of summary of it at least to get an idea what he might stand for, since like all the other Ward 6 candidates his website is pretty vague when it comes to actual policy or where he stands on the major issues.

[Ducay]

Tidbit: When I google'd "Robert Wills" the top result (sponsored, of course) was for Brent Mielke.....had a good chuckle over that.


That bit aside, I think I'm liking Royer or Pootmans at this point. They've both got great business and community experience.

[amorak]

Royer is a right wing guy, a la Anders-lite.

I'll vote for the svelte body that is Pootmans...

ohh wait I live in a ward not controlled by poor people and old people, nevermind!

[yads]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

Is he actually published? His website says he wrote a book but I can't find any reference to it anywhere else. I looked because I was hoping to find some sort of summary of it at least to get an idea what he might stand for, since like all the other Ward 6 candidates his website is pretty vague when it comes to actual policy or where he stands on the major issues.

Looks like self published.

http://www.aviewfromthebottom.ca/

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by yads

Looks like self published.

http://www.aviewfromthebottom.ca/

So not really a "published author". The site has a link for a free PDF download of the book, but that just takes you to a screen asking you to pay $26.20. From what I can see I wouldn't be surprised if he is "Anders-lite" as amorak suggested, and I'm not paying $26.20 for his book to see if that's true; unless he starts getting some more concrete policy out there he won't be on my short-list.

[Ducay]

Interesting stuff on Royer, guess I should go to a forum to see how he stacks up against Pootmans

[Caged Great]

Anybody will be better than Connelly. I think Pootmans would be the best I guess.

[Brent.Mielke]

I apologize for lurking, but wanted to address one issue.

I have paid to attend fundraisers for Connelly & Burrows (both of whom I know well through my Ward 6 involvement) as well as McIver. I have also made a donation to Nenshi (who I know fairly well). I've attended free events for Lord and Hehr.

All have been supportive of my efforts, and their events are a great opportunity for me to promote my campaign.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Brent Mielke
brent@runwithbrent.ca
(403) 457-0232

[frinkprof]

^Thanks for the info Brent. Would you mind giving your opinion on some issues? First and foremost I must ask:

Should Flames prospect TJ Brodie remain with the team at the start of the regular season or be sent down to the farm club for some more seasoning?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Brent.Mielke

I apologize for lurking, but wanted to address one issue.

I have paid to attend fundraisers for Connelly & Burrows (both of whom I know well through my Ward 6 involvement) as well as McIver. I have also made a donation to Nenshi (who I know fairly well). I've attended free events for Lord and Hehr.

All have been supportive of my efforts, and their events are a great opportunity for me to promote my campaign.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Brent Mielke
brent@runwithbrent.ca
(403) 457-0232

Hi Brent, thanks for clearing that up; mind giving us a quick rundown of how your platform and views differentiate yourself from the competition?

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Ducay

And this dude (Brent Mielke) who is a stay at home dad and bald activist.

Originally Posted by Brent.Mielke

I apologize for lurking, but wanted to address one issue.

I have paid to attend fundraisers for Connelly & Burrows (both of whom I know well through my Ward 6 involvement) as well as McIver. I have also made a donation to Nenshi (who I know fairly well). I've attended free events for Lord and Hehr.

All have been supportive of my efforts, and their events are a great opportunity for me to promote my campaign.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Brent Mielke
brent@runwithbrent.ca
(403) 457-0232