Nenshi a hit in Toronto!

[SeoulFire]

Fabricated issue.

I would tend to believe the U of C ethics prof in this regard over sulking aldermen. The arrogance of some of them is astounding:

Lowe said Nenshi should have known better than to accept the ticket, and that he could have talked the idea over with any of the aldermen, including Lowe himself.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/sto...we-chabot.html

Talk it over with him? I wonder what his qualifications are to speak on this? Is he a respected academic in the field? Has he been invited as a key speaker to major conferences and had to deal with this directly? Is he a blowhard with sour grapes?

I suspect there is only one "yes" answer to the above.


He was invited as a key speaker by the event organizer and as such, transportation costs were paid.

I have a feeling that this will be the first of many non-issues that Nenshi will have to deal with.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Cole436

And John is none too happy with dealing with the #### storm that the Herald caused by dubbing him as the creator of "Nenvy"

Did John coin the term 'Nenvy' or was it his husband Brian? I could of sworn I saw Brian post it on twitter a few days ago.

[shermanator]

Nenshi is currently pitching an idea where cities can have the option to raise the GST from 5% to 6%, with the proceeds going to help build infrastructure. Not a bad idea IMO, but those who hate all tax raises will be up in arms I'm sure...

Calgary’s mayor, along with an alliance of business leaders, are pitching the idea of a “penny tax” to help build social infrastructure facilities such as libraries and arts and recreation centres.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Thursday that Calgary and other Canadian cities could build new facilities sooner if Ottawa would increase the GST by one per cent as an infrastructure surtax.

...

Gibbins said the best way to implement such a plan is to put the idea to the people.

“If you ask people in general if they want a new tax they are going to say no,” he said. “But the tax increase would be tied to a particular project and the voter decides through a referendum. You tell them project X will take this long and cost this much and they decide if it’s a good idea or not. It is both transparent and specific.”

Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Ma...206/story.html

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Madman

Ok, phew - I thought Muta was of the gay as well.

Hahahaha

[Frequitude]

"I’m standing on principle. Who is complaining? A couple of aldermen who have not exactly been champions of disclosure and transparency and are mad about losing a vote on Monday.”

Nenshi's the man.

[mariners_fever]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Nenshi's the man.

If by 'the man' you mean proposing a raise in taxes that would require an increase in bureaucracy that would cost more than the tax revenue it would bring in, then yes, I suppose he is 'the man'.

A 1% increase in GST which would then be disseminated to the municipalities proportionally would require quite the administrative undertaking that would likely nullify any revenues.

[Muta]

In case people are wondering, the firm didn't invite Nenshi for any type of 'city contract'. The firm holds an annual symposium on Healthy Cities, where they get qualified speakers to come sit at a round table and debate the future of healthy and sustainable cities with others. There are generally several hundred people that come watch this debate. They get speakers from across the country and the continent; ones that are experts in the field, and once that will continually raise the depth, the intelligence and the engagement of the conversation. Nenshi, with the background that he has and his current position as mayor of a major Canadian city, was someone among many they wanted to invite to their round-table debate.

The firm paid for his flight because typically when you invite someone to speak at a conference / speaking engagement, you cover their travel costs. This is standard practice throughout the world. If Nenshi wasn't available, we would have asked someone else. That's why there really is no story here.

I realize how the optics of the situation have played out; and really, all I can say is that everyone is qualified to make their own decisions on the optics of the situation. It's unfortuante that this is even a story to begin with.

As someone who knows about it a bit better than most, I'll just say that not every firm out there is an evil corporation looking to employ under-handed tactics in order for favours at a later date. That's not what's happening here at all.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by mariners_fever

If by 'the man' you mean proposing a raise in taxes that would require an increase in bureaucracy that would cost more than the tax revenue it would bring in, then yes, I suppose he is 'the man'.

A 1% increase in GST which would then be disseminated to the municipalities proportionally would require quite the administrative undertaking that would likely nullify any revenues.

Really good quantitative study you've done there.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Slava

Look I'm a Nenshi fan and all, but lets call this what it is: conflict of interest. The city has the cash and "saving taxpayers money" is ridiculous when the amount is about $721. This is a firm that bids on city work, and even though I don't think that there is any impropriety its bad optics.

I do worry a little about the rift that seems to be developing between the mayor and some of the alderman actually.

If the alderman can't take the heat of a mayor who actually gets things done, demands more of them, and doesn't take BS from anyone they can always quit.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by Muta

Really sound reasoning

Don't tell the losers in council who care more about playing politics than governing. What the hell are they doing trying to drag their mayor's name through the mud anyways?!?!?!?!

[MoneyGuy]

I totally get the love for Nenshi. He's smart, cool, ethnic, well spoken, charming, handsome and vibrant. The demographics of this site would totally fall for the guy. However....

I'm an alderman in another Alberta city. I don't think the Nenshi should have accepted that free flight. If the company is doing business with the city (or hopes to), it just looks bad. I'm not questioning Nenshi's ethics, but if a decision goes in this company's favour, people will wonder if maybe the free flight had something to do with it. I see that the company bids on city contracts. No one can tell me that this is a good idea. It's only $700+. The city should pay for it. For that small amount of money, it's not worth the risk.

[The Goon]

I am going to offer Mayor Nenshi some of my Air Miles just to put an end to this ridiculous discussion.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I totally get the love for Nenshi. He's smart, cool, ethnic, well spoken, charming, handsome and vibrant. The demographics of this site would totally fall for the guy. However....

I'm an alderman in another Alberta city. I don't think the Nenshi should have accepted that free flight. If the company is doing business with the city (or hopes to), it just looks bad. I'm not questioning Nenshi's ethics, but if a decision goes in this company's favour, people will wonder if maybe the free flight had something to do with it. I see that the company bids on city contracts. No one can tell me that this is a good idea. It's only $700+. The city should pay for it. For that small amount of money, it's not worth the risk.

How is it any different (or anywhere close for that matter) to business leaders donating thousands to various leadership campaigns?

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Nenshi is currently pitching an idea where cities can have the option to raise the GST from 5% to 6%, with the proceeds going to help build infrastructure. Not a bad idea IMO, but those who hate all tax raises will be up in arms I'm sure...


Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Ma...206/story.html

Well if lower prices and free shipping didnt convince me to purchase all my electronics from a website instead of a more expensive brick and mortar Best Buy within Calgary then raising the taxes on said brick and mortar sure would.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Man, I hate Gord Lowe. I'm ashamed he's representing my ward. I voted for the Italian guy (Bag something), and I had no idea what his platform was. All I know is, I don't want Lowe representing me.

I'm in Ward 2 as well. His antics this week on everything had me write an e-mail to his office suggesting that the strong showing by alternative candidates in the last election means he's simply one strong qualified opposition candidate away from being punted from office next go around. I suggested that he should keep that in mind next time he wants to grandstand around and act like an arrogant, entitled, asshat in attempt of hijacking a project that most likely would improve the lives of ward 2 residents more than alternative uses of the cash (For ward 2: airport tunnel > 37 St. SW interchange).

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Slava

...
I do worry a little about the rift that seems to be developing between the mayor and some of the alderman actually.

That I agree with, especially since I figured those Alerdman who now seem to be against him would be the ones to most likely support his initiatives.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

If the alderman can't take the heat of a mayor who actually gets things done, demands more of them, and doesn't take BS from anyone they can always quit.

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Don't tell the losers in council who care more about playing politics than governing. What the hell are they doing trying to drag their mayor's name through the mud anyways?!?!?!?!

First I think its funny that you thanked the above comment and then can't believe that someone would drag the mayors name through the mud?

Thing is, while Nenshi wants to get stuff done (and most of his things to get done are things I want to see done as well), the reality is that he can't do that on his own. In otherwords if there is a rift on council and aldermen will go out of their way to make life tough for Nenshi that means things could be not getting done....not my first choice to say the least.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That I agree with, especially since I figured those Alerdman who now seem to be against him would be the ones to most likely support his initiatives.

Colley-Urquhart? Really? Lowe's surprising me a bit with the intensity of his opposition though.

As for any rift, nothing can be worse than the last council. Two distinct camps with absolutely no inclination to work together on things.

[CM ONE]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I am going to offer Mayor Nenshi some of my Air Miles just to put an end to this ridiculous discussion.

We don't need our mayor indebted to someone named "The Goon".

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by mariners_fever

If by 'the man' you mean proposing a raise in taxes that would require an increase in bureaucracy that would cost more than the tax revenue it would bring in, then yes, I suppose he is 'the man'.

A 1% increase in GST which would then be disseminated to the municipalities proportionally would require quite the administrative undertaking that would likely nullify any revenues.

Great job at recognizing the topic the other poster was speaking to with his "Nenshi's the man" comment. Hint: it is not the one you are speaking to in response.