Calgary Civic Election Poll #3: The race heats up

[worth]

There's something about Nenshi that doesn't sit right with me.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

My position is very anti Barb Higgins. If I were to vote on the best candidate then I would go Nenshi, but if it really only is a two horse race between McIver and Higgins, then I'm going for McIver to help ensure Higgins doesn't win.

No kidding. Nenshi is my preference, Hehr would be my second choice, but if neither of them gets close in the polls then "anyone but McIver" has turned into "anyone but Higgins".

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

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I'm voting Pashak because I have been very unimpressed by Mar. He is a fence sitter that just waits to see which way the votes are going before deciding what side to drop down onto.

The other thing that concerns me is how much funding Mar has. Makes me wonder if his interests are aligned with those of his constituents. I believe anyone who represents Ward 8 should be a big prononent of sustainable development (and thus, lower taxes for Ward 8 residents). Mar's $2 million dollar campaign last time means he's probably been bought by the suburban developers. If he wants my vote he'll have to answer a few questions on his voting record. And how did recycling for apartments/condos slip through? The city sold us out. Was he a part of it? I don't think Pashak has much of a chance, but at least voting his way could send Mar a bit of a message. And with only 2 candidates, strategic voting isn't a factor.

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

Originally Posted by HeartsOfFire

Just had a look at Bonnie Devine's platform. I nearly choked. I agree with her stance on fair-dealing with public, unionized employees, but wow, everything else she is way out to lunch.

Haha, you know she's a member of the communist party, right?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by worth

There's something about Nenshi that doesn't sit right with me.

MOD EDIT: Too far

[frinkprof]

^Mar's family are heavily involved with (started and still own I think) a big development company, can't remember which one. I want to say Genstar.

[GGG]

From speaking with a few business owner's on 17th ave he has been very good for them. When King was Alderman she actively blocked any expansion or modifications to any liquor permits and was very strict in enforcing existing commercial zoning issues along the avenue.

From what I have heard Mar is very small business friendly in the area. I think having small business friendly Alderman in the inner city is very important to maintaining and expanding the core areas.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by GGG

From speaking with a few business owner's on 17th ave he has been very good for them. When King was Alderman she actively blocked any expansion or modifications to any liquor permits and was very strict in enforcing existing commercial zoning issues along the avenue.

From what I have heard Mar is very small business friendly in the area. I think having small business friendly Alderman in the inner city is very important to maintaining and expanding the core areas.

That's certainly a positive, but doesn't differentiate him from Pashak. Pashak owns a small business in the area and has made streamlining the business licensing process a big part of his platform. I believe frustration with the city may even be his motivation for running.

[_Q_]

Dude, Barb Higgins isn't even hot. There's no reason to vote for her. Vote Nenshi!

[welshboy2008]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

My position is very anti Barb Higgins. If I were to vote on the best candidate then I would go Nenshi, but if it really only is a two horse race between McIver and Higgins, then I'm going for McIver to help ensure Higgins doesn't win.

One thing that seems somewhat unsettling is that Nenshi isn't releasing his financial backers like he promised (Sept 20 is too late for a promise made in May) . From looking at all the signs, mailouts, etc. it's clear he's got some substatial backing and I would like to know who, especially for someone who is trying to point out that City Hall is corrupt and wants to change that.

I would advise you that Naheed has nearly 500 very hard working volunteers on the campaign trail. So all the signs etc you see came from all of them. Also remeber the election has net even started yet.

[welshboy2008]

Originally Posted by worth

There's something about Nenshi that doesn't sit right with me.

is that why you pasted a racist picture on the site. I think you should be ashamed of yourself.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

is that why you pasted a racist picture on the site. I think you should be ashamed of yourself.

It's not racist at all. Captain Hyper-Politically-Correct to the attack!

[Ducay]

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Wow, Nenshi sitting at 61% on CP.......massive change from the last poll where Barb and Nenshi were neck and neck

Maybe. More likely either the nenshi love in has pushed everyone else to the sidelines or 'undecided' remains the candidate of choice.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

I would advise you that Naheed has nearly 500 very hard working volunteers on the campaign trail. So all the signs etc you see came from all of them. Also remeber the election has net even started yet.

Did the 500 volunteers also pay for those signs and mailouts too? Don't see how volunteer power automatically converts into cash. Also I don't care when the 'official' campaign starts. Kent Hehr can tell me who has contributed so far, why can't Nenshi? BTW I hope you aren't on his campaign because you're berating someone who is seriously considering voting Nenshi with a 'check your facts' attitude. If that's the arrogance I can expect in the 'official' campaign as well the that might make my choice a lot easier!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by worth

There's something about Nenshi that doesn't sit right with me.

He comes across as a little arrogant at times, but nothing too crazy.

[Slava]

On a bit of a tangent here, who do people see as dropping out of the mayoralty race? AFAIK the biggest poll comes out this week, which will give some clear indication of where people stand. Anyone up for a CP Prediction Pool? (almost rhetorical question because I know some of us are hard core junkies!) Here are some categories to start and we could add a few more as I'm someone has some good ideas here: (I figure we'll do this for the real election in some form, but maybe for now we don't need a separate thread?)

A) Top Five by support, in order:

B) Biggest Surprise (positive or negative) including their ranking and where you would've otherwise expected them to be:

C) Who bails as a result of the poll and doesn't run for mayor?

Pretty Straight-forward? I will wait and gauge interest and then post my picks. For a political junky though, this could be a very entertaining week and a half!

[frinkprof]

^We are talking about the upcoming poll and not the actual election, right?

If so,

A) McIver, Higgins, Nenshi, Hehr, Burrows

B) Hawkesworth. In a race where I think there's 3 tiers (frontrunners, smaller but significant support, also-rans), I would intuitively place Hawkesworth as straddling between tier 2 and 3, but for some reason the ideological niche Hawkesworth belongs to always surprises me with their dedication and numbers in most other elections, so I could see him possibly surprising me and sliding into the #5 slot where I currently have Burrows. I would have otherwise expected him to be somewhere around 7.

C) Kassam, Hehr (sorry Slava and other supporters), Johnston (I admire him for running, but I don't think he's serious and seems like the type that is in it for the experience and/or to bring light to select issues, but is gracious enough to bow out when things get really serious), Hughes (sort of the same as Johnston). I want to include Connelly in this category, partly as wishful thinking, but seeing as how he has managed to dumbfound me with his stupidity on nearly a weekly basis, I think he may just be dumb enough to stay in the race.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Did the 500 volunteers also pay for those signs and mailouts too? Don't see how volunteer power automatically converts into cash. Also I don't care when the 'official' campaign starts. Kent Hehr can tell me who has contributed so far, why can't Nenshi? BTW I hope you aren't on his campaign because you're berating someone who is seriously considering voting Nenshi with a 'check your facts' attitude. If that's the arrogance I can expect in the 'official' campaign as well the that might make my choice a lot easier!

I'm not a Nenshi volunteer but I am a new supporter and I donated to cover the cost of a sign and then some. I'm sure others have done the same.

[Flames0910]

You know, this is a huge election for Calgary - we really need a candidate with a clear vision of the future, not more petty infighting over minor yet contentious issues. Someone who can rise above the bureaucratic BS and shape our city into the future.

[welshboy2008]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Did the 500 volunteers also pay for those signs and mailouts too? Don't see how volunteer power automatically converts into cash. Also I don't care when the 'official' campaign starts. Kent Hehr can tell me who has contributed so far, why can't Nenshi? BTW I hope you aren't on his campaign because you're berating someone who is seriously considering voting Nenshi with a 'check your facts' attitude. If that's the arrogance I can expect in the 'official' campaign as well the that might make my choice a lot easier!

Actually yes they did. Naheeds volunteers and supporters have donated to the campaign. The backers will be released shortly. I can assure you that Naheed is not the only person to not release the details yet but was one of the first to release his platform, which to some was actually more important.

[Ozy_Flame]

Someone through a brick through Nenshi's campaign headquarters this morning or last night . . . Whoever did that, stay classy. Jerk.