2013 Calgary Municipal Election Thread

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

SebC, I am pretty sure you are Woolley.

Haha, I have met Seb and he is definitely not Woolley.

[SebC]

I'm actually undecided in Ward 8... I will probably vote strategically for whichever of Woolley or Newman seems to be doing better, but Mar generally votes the way I'd want him to, even if he's not a leader, so it's not critical to me that he be replaced.

[CaptainYooh]

What is going to be really interesting is Lord's challenge of Nenshi. Jon Lord is a nice down to earth man but he was never an outstanding alderman during his time with the City and even less noticeable during his time as an MLA. But all he has to do now is sit and wait. He doesn't even need a lot of money for his campaign. His name is the only recognizable name on the ballot and everyone wanting to vote against Nenshi will vote for Lord anyway.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

What is going to be really interesting is Lord's challenge of Nenshi. Jon Lord is a nice down to earth man but he was never an outstanding alderman during his time with the City and even less noticeable during his time as an MLA. But all he has to do now is sit and wait. He doesn't even need a lot of money for his campaign. His name is the only recognizable name on the ballot and everyone wanting to vote against Nenshi will vote for Lord anyway .

Yep, all of them.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by SebC

I'm actually undecided in Ward 8... I will probably vote strategically for whichever of Woolley or Newman seems to be doing better, but Mar generally votes the way I'd want him to, even if he's not a leader, so it's not critical to me that he be replaced.

I'm pretty much the same. I'm not a fan of Mar the person, but not vehemently opposed to his record. I need to do my research....which may just be asking Bunk who I should vote for.

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm pretty much the same. I'm not a fan of Mar the person, but not vehemently opposed to his record. I need to do my research....which may just be asking Bunk who I should vote for.

I'm the same as you but won't be doing much more research into it. I'll just vote for the same guy you do Table

[surferguy]

I am also curious of who Table votes for

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm pretty much the same. I'm not a fan of Mar the person, but not vehemently opposed to his record. I need to do my research....which may just be asking Bunk who I should vote for.

Table - you and I are on the same page on a lot of things. PM who you're voting for and I'll probably vote for that person.

This Woollley fellow - I like his political bluntness. If he breaks into houses like Mar does, my vote may be swayed.

[CaptainYooh]

Political bluntness is dangerously close to power hunger without any meaningful life and work experience. Woolley has none.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Wilkie and Katz represent a very similar platform and will split the conservative votes in Ward 9. Carra is going to win, no doubt.

Woolley vs. Mar is going to be a sad fight. Woolley has nothing but very leftist political ambitions in his background while Mar is, well, Mar. I dislike both of them immensely and don't think either one of them will actually make a new Council better.

Not sure about Wilkie but anyone who has an Internet connection in Ward 9 should go on Katz website to see where he lives - Tuscany.

The issues of rich dog owners in the B-F NW is reason enough not to vote for him trying to helicopter into a riding he thinks is vulnerable.

Not sure Wilkie is from, his website only gives a PO box and campaign office so he could be located anywhere.

I think Carra is a tool but I wont vote for someone who doesnt have the Wards interest front and centre. And if you dont live in the Ward, then cant be trusted to represent it IMO

[CaptainYooh]

I am seriously opposed to the Ward system, in general, as I believe it hurts the municipality. So a candidate not living in the Ward would not be a concern to me.

[Rathji]

What alternative would you propose to the ward system?

[Bobblehead]

Why is a guy who lives in Ward 6 (Signal Hill, Aspen Woods, etc) running in Ward 5 (Rundle, Temple, Falconridge, etc)?

That just seems so out of left field.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I think Carra is a tool but I wont vote for someone who doesnt have the Wards interest front and centre. And if you dont live in the Ward, then cant be trusted to represent it IMO

I couldn't agree more. Carra is a total tool, extremely disingenuous, and he solely pursues his personal agenda, as opposed to what's best for the ward. His vendetta against CP Rail is ridiculous. All his talk about how noisy and disruptive the railyards are is garbage. He lives on the river on the north end of Inglewood, so he's never had any personal issues with the yards. And his old standby line on the issue, where he said he was standing in the lot of the Inglewood Community Association and had to yell to be heard over the train noise is total BS. I live about 3 blocks from the ICA, and closer to the rail yards, and it's never been close to that bad. Sure, there's some noise, but you moved in close to a railyard geniuses, so suck it up.

I think he'll be re-elected, solely on the basis of incumbency, and no real threat running against him. Hopefully over the next 3 years, there is a serious candidate who emerges to wipe him out next time around.

I've also heard he's a total nightmare to work for. He's turned over his ward staff at least once in the past 3 years, and some positions 2 and 3 times.

[killer_carlson]

Does Maxim have a shot for Ward 11?

I think he would make a pretty good alderman or mayor. And i say that knowing he is a Liberal an i am much more fiscally conservative (responsible!!!) than most Liberals.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I am seriously opposed to the Ward system, in general, as I believe it hurts the municipality. So a candidate not living in the Ward would not be a concern to me.

In a city the size of Calgary it's the only reasonable option. Mayors need to be elected city wide but councillors not so much. What do you propose?

[Ozy_Flame]

I believe in the last federal election, one of the Liberal candidates in Calgary West (I think) was permanently residing in Edmonton. If you think not living in the same ward is an issue, try a different part of the province !

[mykalberta]

I think the Ward system is a good system, they just need to re draw the maps.

I live in Ward 9 and even on an issue like the SE LRT - I cant see more than 1/2 the riding being affected by it so how does one vote on the issue when 1/2 are probably for it and 1/4 are probably against and 1/4 are 50/50.

I grant that is a very difficult ward to draw given the industrial parks, but I cant see how the interest of Bridgeland and Ogden can ever be truly represented.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I think the Ward system is a good system, they just need to re draw the maps.

I live in Ward 9 and even on an issue like the SE LRT - I cant see more than 1/2 the riding being affected by it so how does one vote on the issue when 1/2 are probably for it and 1/4 are probably against and 1/4 are 50/50.

I grant that is a very difficult ward to draw given the industrial parks, but I cant see how the interest of Bridgeland and Ogden can ever be truly represented.

Without a ward system, some of those areas would essentially have no representation. All of the councillors would ignore the not so trendy areas.

That's why a ward system is essential.

Certainly there could be some "at large" councillors that don't represent a ward.

[killer_carlson]

At large councillors would spin themselves as mayors. Bad idea