Calgary Civic Election Poll #2: Who do you support for Mayor?

[SebC]

Nenshi responds to Hawkeworth's petition: http://www.buildthetunnel.ca/

Hawkesworth got owned on that debate. Nenshi starts by pointing out that the difference between building the tunnel and not building it is $150M, and Hawkesworth ignores it and starts talking about putting the $500M into the SE LRT instead.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by SebC

Nenshi responds to Hawkeworth's petition: http://www.buildthetunnel.ca/

Hawkesworth got owned on that debate. Nenshi starts by pointing out that the difference between building the tunnel and not building it is $150M, and Hawkesworth ignores it and starts talking about putting the $500M into the SE LRT instead.

I'm really surprised that people aren't asking more about this. I've posted in here how I came to the same number (roughly) using documents on Bob's website. I even posted a picture from the documents.

There are three strategies, and the current one is going to cost $345M. So it's not $500M to build the tunnel + infrastructure, but it's $345M even if we don't build the tunnel. WTF?!?!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by kermitology

I'm really surprised that people aren't asking more about this. I've posted in here how I came to the same number (roughly) using documents on Bob's website. I even posted a picture from the documents.

There are three strategies, and the current one is going to cost $345M. So it's not $500M to build the tunnel + infrastructure, but it's $345M even if we don't build the tunnel. WTF?!?!

It's a common mistake. Hawkesworth keeps talking about accounting cost ($500M), but it's economic/marginal cost ($150M) that's relevant for decision making. Of course, making this mistake shows that Hawkesworth either doesn't understand or is willfully ignoring basic economics, i.e. something you'd learn in the first month of ECON 101, if you hadn't already figured it out by common sense.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by SebC

It's a common mistake. Hawkesworth keeps talking about accounting cost ($500M), but it's economic/marginal cost ($150M) that's relevant for decision making. Of course, making this mistake shows that Hawkesworth either doesn't understand or is willfully ignoring basic economics, i.e. something you'd learn in the first month of ECON 101, if you hadn't already figured it out by common sense.

He won't publicly comment on these numbers, but he did ask me to phone his office to get clarification.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Kinda funny, eh? The pendulum is about to swing back to 10 years of Duerr.

This is going to be the worst part if McIvor gets elected. More stagnation of spending when this city needs it ... then followed by 10 years of trying to catch up again.

[welshboy2008]

http://www.buildthetunnel.ca/

Get on and sign the petition. Also head to Nenshi.ca and volunteer your time or get yourselves a sign for your lawn

[Slava]

I went to the forum last night and there were a few takeaways for me:

1. Its shocking how bad Higgins is. Her opener was fine, but the Q&A was a train wreck! I'm not talking about some out of left field questions here either. The forum was in Oakridge and she was asked about the SW ring road (no surprise at all) and completely bungled it. It was uncomfortable to watch really. She really is out of her league here.

2. McIver does know the issues. Agree or disagree with his thoughts the guy at least knows what he's talking about. He made Higgins look silly when she had first crack at the ring road and stumbled around.

3. You can't judge anything from the forums because it's all supporters and people with agendas there, however of those in the room it was clearly a
McIver room. Nenshi had the most shirts and dominates the twittering, but I'm really only mentioning him here because I know that many on CP follow his campaign. Otherwise he was a non-factor as were the others in attendance.

4. Interesting aldermanic race shaping up there. Pincott could win, but James Maxim looks serious and there was some grumbling when Pincott spoke. Pincott didn't get a lot of love for his justification for his vote in favour of the Peace Bridge!

Overall,it was interesting. It was a full house and I generally think that if people come to a forum they are going to vote.

Notably absent were Paul Hughes and Kent Hehr. Kent was unable to gain access to the building due to him being in a wheelchair, which was a real shame. I think if I were McIver I would've come out and made an opener that said "Because the accessibility isn't there for all candidates I'm leaving" (not in those words) and pulled the plug. That would suddenly cast him as a champion of democracy and a guy with a heart. Probably would've been a big story and he might clinch or get a huge bump by going to bat for the disabled. Anyway, a statement was read by Kents father in his absence.

[worth]

The following summary are my thoughts and opinions of the Mayoralty Forum last night.

==================

Mayoralty Candidacy:

I was at the forum last night in Oakridge, and I am writing this up as an undecided voter. I am still undecided even after seeing the candidates speak, but I have decided against voting for a few candidates.

There were a couple people missing, most notably Mr Kassam.

Mr. McIver and Mr. Nenshi showed up late to the forum, which drives me nuts. Mr. McIver's excuse was he was welcoming some Chinese consulary people and Mr. Nenshi didn't address his lateness. I can't stand late people for any reason. Mr. Johnston showed up late as well and he said the reason for that was he took City Transit from downtown. Everyone laughed, but he was dead serious.

Mr. Connelly showed up extremely late and didn't even get a chance to speak.

Each candidate spoke for 3 minutes and introduced themselves, except for Mr. Hehr. The Oakridge Community Center is Handicapped Accessible, but not wheelchair accessible. The forum was on the second floor, and therefore, Mr. Hehr was unable to attend. His father spoke in his place, but I feel it is a real travesty that these issues are not dealt with and understood ahead of time.

Oscar Fetch was also there, and interrupted the forum to get on stage after the first candidate has spoken. I was surprised they conceded to him. I don't know if he's actually on the ballot or not. They told him he wasn't invited to this forum because he hadn't declared by the time they organized it.

Standouts in the 3 minute introduction for me were:

Mr. Burrows - Clear, concise and knew what he wanted to say
Mrs. Higgins - He remarks at the beginning of the forum were fine, she fell apart when the real questions started flying.
Mr. Lord - Alludes to his "track record" and entrepreneurial experience
Mr. McIver - Clear, confident
Mr. Nenshi - Funny, confident, clear

The rest of the candidates are on the back burner for sure.

Mr. McIver and Mrs. Higgins got 80% of the questions after their 3 minute introduction, which I was disappointed with. I was hoping to hear some of the "lesser known" candidates speak.

It seems to me like the majority in the room last night had made their mind up already, and realize this is a two horse race between Mr. McIver and Mrs. Higgins, and that's why all the questions were directed toward them, which is unfortunate.

Half of Mrs. Higgins responses made no sense to me. She was repeating the questions and speaking like a politician in Ottawa. She dodged some questions and got called out on it by Mr. McIver. Her stance on the ring road was to "work with the Nation". She preached closer ties to the "Band".

Also, when asked about Enmax, she responded that she was having a financial person look into it and she was not going to respond and make assumptions on something that is still in progress.

To me that's all fine and dandy and I agree with her, but you can't go to a forum and answer questions saying "my team is looking into it" all night. You need to take a stance on something.

Mr. McIver answered his share of the questions without too much trouble. You may not like the guy or agree with his policies, but he is taking sides for the most part on the important issues instead of trying to negotiate both sides. Based on last night, I will speculate that he will be our next Mayor.

With that said, I have completely written off Mrs. Higgins. She is a train wreck, and I don't understand how anyone in this city could vote for her. The people who do vote for her will do so based on name recognition, and will be votes from the uninformed, because I don't believe that anyone could vote for her after watching her performance last night. It would be a disaster for this city if she got in. She would need to be propped up worse than George Bush.

Mr. Burrows talked about Smart Card technology for Calgary Transit and being able to use this card for all city services such as recreation facilities, transit services, parking services etc. He wants to ditch the $3 fee for parking at LRT stations and called it a tax on lower income people trying to do the right thing. He also talked a bit about Smart Street Light technology to improve traffic flow instead of just making bigger roads.

Mr. Nenshi talked about his three points of successful government and was generally vague overall. He speaks very well and is quick on his toes and I would like to hear him speak more.

==========================

Ward 11 Candidacy:.

Mr. Pincot is not likely to get re-elected if the people last night were any indication of how Ward 11 is going to vote (which they should be). His constituents are not happy with him. Hearing his speak last night reinforced why I do not want to vote for him. Also, Mr Pincot, please refrain from playing on your BlackBerry when other people are talking. To me, it shows a lack of respect to the others speaking. There were a couple Mayoral Candidates doing the same and it looks badly on you, in my opinion.

Mr. Maxim stole the show from Mr. Pincott. Clear, concise and he got the crowd with "I will return every phone call and email you send me." I'm definitely interested in him.

The other two candidates for Ward 11 I don't think are up to task. Not enough experience and it shows when they speak.

===========================

Overall, very informative and I would encourage anyone and everyone to attend future forums. I will probably go to another one before I vote and I will follow up by doing some research on the internet.

There is some choice out there for sure. I just really hope that people can look past Mr. McIver and Mrs. Higgins for a moment to see the other candidates out there and what they have to offer.

[Slava]

^ Good summary. I couldn't see Pincott (I was in the back) but that blackberry thing would drive me crazy!

I should've said in my review that Burrows is a much better candidate than he's given credit for. I appreciate his ideas and think that his comments on the ring road and foresight there a few years ago would be nice to have around. I like the smart card idea as well, and think it makes a lot of sense!

[worth]

I was looking for you last night Salva, but I couldn't see you, and I left pretty much right away after.

And I agree on Burrows. To me he is up there on the second tier with Nenshi and Hehr, yet is totally off the radar. I encourage people to take a look at him. He's well spoken and has some interesting ideas.

[Bigtime]

Thanks for the recaps from the forum last night! I was following the updates on twitter to see how it was going.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by worth

Mr. Burrows talked about Smart Card technology for Calgary Transit and being able to use this card for all city services such as recreation facilities, transit services, parking services etc. He wants to ditch the $3 fee for parking at LRT stations and called it a tax on lower income people trying to do the right thing. He also talked a bit about Smart Street Light technology to improve traffic flow instead of just making bigger roads.

Mr. Nenshi talked about his three points of successful government and was generally vague overall. He speaks very well and is quick on his toes and I would like to hear him speak more.

A quick note: Nenshi also wants to ditch the $3 parking fee.

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/2010/141

Nenshi is definitely not representing himself well if he's coming across as vague. His policy platform very well defined, especially compared to some of the other candidates.

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/policy Note that each policy is a link, which takes you to an overview of his ideas on that topic, which is supported by a PDF with even more detail.

Kudos for making the effort to attend and get informed!

[Ducay]

I can only hope more and more people start to realize that Higgins is a joke.

How someone polls over 25% without releasing a single detailed policy or idea is beyond me.

[shermanator]

Sounds like Hehr thinks Higgins is not right for the mayoral position. It's an angle to being mayor that I didn't think of...

Hehr later said: "Between me and you . . . I don't know if Barb has that much of the stuff, if you know what I'm saying . . . I think she's a very nice person, but you know what I feel sad about is that I think if she actually gets the job, she'll . . . hate it. You know what I'm saying?" Hehr continued.

"She's used to people being nice to her all the time. Guys like me and you have been yelled at our entire lives. We kind of like it."

When asked by the Herald about the remarks, Hehr said he forgot the tape was rolling during the break.

Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Ba...140/story.html

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Slava

I appreciate his ideas and think that his comments on the ring road and foresight there a few years ago would be nice to have around. I like the smart card idea as well, and think it makes a lot of sense!

I'm pretty sure CT is already looking into and has gained funding for implementing Smart Card technology. Also, this technology was not ground breaking back when he was an Alderman.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Sounds like Hehr thinks Higgins is not right for the mayoral position. It's an angle to being mayor that I didn't think of...

Just this morning I started to imagine how she would fair during Provincial/Municipal negotiations. We are a subject of the Province but Bronconnier did a damn good job of allowing the City to act more independently and getting the right tools to do so. Does Barb have enough of an aggressive side?

[worth]

Mrs. Higgins last night said it was an asset that she is not involved in politics, and she said she does not want to be a "student" of politics.

I don't really think it is an asset for her taking on an outsider position. I don't really want my Mayor to have to learn the ropes for a year before they actually do anything. I want someone that can go in there and day one start off on the right foot and know what their doing. Mrs. Higgins does not portray that in my opinion.

A quick note: Nenshi also wants to ditch the $3 parking fee.

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/2010/141

Nenshi is definitely not representing himself well if he's coming across as vague. His policy platform very well defined, especially compared to some of the other candidates.

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/policy Note that each policy is a link, which takes you to an overview of his ideas on that topic, which is supported by a PDF with even more detail.

Kudos for making the effort to attend and get informed!

I expand, he spoke about his three points, which I agree with, but he didn't really tell me how he intends to accomplish those things. There's a difference between saying "things are broken" and saying "things are broken, this is how we fix them", so I was vague on the fixing them part.

But in all fairness, that is difficult to do in 3 minutes, and generally, other candidates didn't take on that can of worms. The other competent candidates picked out a couple things to key on like the ring road, tunnel and transit.

Nenshi talked about sustainability and creating cooperation within City Council. Both noble things, but how do you do that?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Slava

Kent was unable to gain access to the building due to him being in a wheelchair, which was a real shame.

This could work out for Hehr. Extra publicity and sympathy.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by worth

Mrs. Higgins last night said it was an asset that she is not involved in politics, and she said she does not want to be a "student" of politics.

I don't really think it is an asset for her taking on an outsider position. I don't really want my Mayor to have to learn the ropes for a year before they actually do anything. I want someone that can go in there and day one start off on the right foot and know what their doing. Mrs. Higgins does not portray that in my opinion.

Higgins should have ran for an aldermanic postion to learn the ropes. Sadly her name recognition will garner a lot of votes.

[Rhettzky]

I wonder if we could start a new thread with a poll and see if there have been any shifts in support?