Calgary Civic Election: Mayoralty Poll #4 - The Heat is On

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Muta

What I'm scared of with McIver is the amount of companies that are donating to his campaign. This is a huge indication as to what types of companies will be getting what types of contracts should he become Mayor.

Instead of a transparent selection process, favourites will be played; even moreso than now. This is exactly what the people of Calgary have become angry with. It's too bad more people don't see this with McIver - he's in bed with businesses and will surely be repaying them in some way if he wins.

I'm not so sure about contracts perse. What motions and ammendments he makes to council and how he votes on issues - absolutely.

Originally Posted by Muta

The fact that he's tied to so many businesses (and in specific, certain industries) suggests he's the least transparent candidate of them all.

I wouldn't say that. He released his donor list. That is being transparent.

However,

Originally Posted by Muta

Calgary deserves better than this. Much, much better.

This still rings true.

[surferguy]

#358 - Richard McIver...10 bucks...maybe it was a compromise with himself saying No

[Muta]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

I wouldn't say that. He released his donor list. That is being transparent.

Not really. He released his donor list after Nenshi did it (not before), and the list just confirms whom he's tied to. He released his list as a reaction, not an action. McIver is tied to so many organizations (including the Calgary Sun and the Calgary Police and Fire Associations) that it's disturbing.

It's going to be more of the same City Council with Slick Ric in office. Completely more of the same.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Here's how to lodge a complaint against Police Chief Hanson.

Hanson is not above the scrutiny of duly elected public officials.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

On this board he perhaps is but among older voters - I would suspect he damaged his chances.

It's anecdotal only but I've talked to a few people who were on the fence and now will not vote for Nenshi because of his comments about the police force.

I doubt Nenshi is going to have any traction with older voters anyway. I suspect the ones that are angry with City Council and don't want to vote for anyone associated with it are going to vote Higgins and be the 15-20% of the vote she'll end up with because she's a familiar face they "trust". Then the rest of those 55+ will go to McIvor, with a sprinkling of crotchety nutbars going for the other candidates. These are the same people that voted for Al Duerr and were happy with low taxes and falling behind in infrastructure before; they like McIvor's reflexive "no" to everything just fine.

Nenshi really has to connect with the 35-54 crowd that is politically motivated. He probably needs 60-70% of their votes to have any chance at all. To that end, he needs to get in the news as much as possible and attack where his opponents are weak, which is, in McIvor's case, his association with council, and in Higgins' case, her association with nothing of substance.

[Ducay]

I am honestly disgusted with McIvor's donor list. Its basically a list of every homebuilder, property developer, or related consulting firm in the city.

And people wonder why he hates Plan-It and where his true allegiances lies. Absolutely repulsive. Really just confirms what everyone already knew

/Anger fuelled font increase

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Addick

Perhaps what matters isn't the age of the people you speak to but whether or not the people you talk to understand the question Neshi was posing.

Perhaps but it falls to the candidate to get his/her message out in a clear way.

[Cscutch]

Originally Posted by jammies

I doubt Nenshi is going to have any traction with older voters anyway. I suspect the ones that are angry with City Council and don't want to vote for anyone associated with it are going to vote Higgins and be the 15-20% of the vote she'll end up with because she's a familiar face they "trust". Then the rest of those 55+ will go to McIvor, with a sprinkling of crotchety nutbars going for the other candidates. These are the same people that voted for Al Duerr and were happy with low taxes and falling behind in infrastructure before; they like McIvor's reflexive "no" to everything just fine.

Nenshi really has to connect with the 35-54 crowd that is politically motivated. He probably needs 60-70% of their votes to have any chance at all. To that end, he needs to get in the news as much as possible and attack where his opponents are weak, which is, in McIvor's case, his association with council, and in Higgins' case, her association with nothing of substance.

This is most likely true, the funny thing is McIvor is the worst choice for seniors. Most live downtown in established neighbourhoods and are supporting the building of new sprawling neighbourhoods in their property taxes. They could benefit from a legalized basement suite in maybe their son or daughters basement, which McIvor dosen't really support. Well built communities where they could walk to the store, and better transit through out those neighbourhoods would allow them to get around easier.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

It couldn't be more on course. The process leading to the pre-approval of the police budget is up there with one of the worst examples of how this past council, and its members, failed this city horribly. It has to be fair game. Are you saying that the police budget is untouchable, just because? What about fire? Should their budget not have some questions asked of it? Are they too untouchable? Is calling for their budget to be scrutinized "off course?"

I already said that the police aren't above questions. But that doesn't mean it was a smart strategy for Nenshi. I guess we'll find out on the 18th.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Perhaps but it falls to the candidate to get his/her message out in a clear way.

I agree. Did you read the releases by Nenshi? Did you listen to his interview on QR77 yesterday? Spelled out his position pretty well for me.

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I already said that the police aren't above questions. But that doesn't mean it was a smart strategy for Nenshi. I guess we'll find out on the 18th.

Fair enough. That's simply a matter of opinion.

One more thing though. I'd like to bring this up again since I haven't really gotten a clear message from you on it.

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The department's budget was questioned and I thought the response was appropriate. At the same time though the Chief of Police shouldn't feel obliged to get into any extended back and forth with candidates.

So just to clarify, you feel that an appropriate response for Chief Rick Hanson, a civil servant, was to:

- See Nenshi quote figures from Statistics Canada and a Police Service Report

- Interpret that there was an insinuation made

- Issue a public press release targeting a single candidate for public office in the middle of the election campaign

- Say in that press release that the figures, from Statistics Canada and a Police Service Report, were inaccurate

- After being asked by the candidate that he entered into public dialogue with how those figures were inaccurate - and possibly provide some accurate ones - say that he did not want to enter into a debate

That's an appropriate response? Just checking.

[JiriHrdina]

^I think Nenshi put the CPS in a lose lose position by questioning their budget. CPS doesn't want to be getting into politics right now - but a non response would have likely not gone over well either.

I don't blame Hanson at all for defending his department nor for not wanting to get into a full on debate on the issue.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

^I think Nenshi put the CPS in a lose lose position by questioning their budget. CPS doesn't want to be getting into politics right now - but a non response would have likely not gone over well either.

Again I must ask, did you read the releases? Are you under the impression that Nenshi was making direct insinuations about the cost of police officers?

Nenshi questioned why the police budget was not scrutinized. The past city council members put Calgarians and the CPS in a lose/lose situation. It is fair game to bring that up during the election.

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I don't blame Hanson at all for defending his department nor for not wanting to get into a full on debate on the issue.

I'm sorry, but it can't be both ways. You can't issue a press release with comments directed at a candidate for public office without entering into the election debate.

[kermitology]

^^ why did Hanson have to issue a response at all? Nenshi actually posed the question to McIver about why he didn't ask questions like those of the police budget, something a "financial hawk" should gave done. Instead he's selectively financially responsible, looking to completely gut the city planning department, because they stand in the way of developers simply chunking out subdivision after subdivision.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by SebC

#386 on McIver's list is one Joseph P. Connelly. Of course, that's from August 10, 2009. BTW, the Herald says it all adds up to $700,000.

$700k!!!

Wow. Whether you love him or hate him that really is an amazing fundraising effort. That number really is astronomical. I would guess that would be more than all of the others combined?

[Flames0910]

What's the deal with Higgins' postage stamp signs? They're so tiny!

[topfiverecords]

Also this comment from Lara Talamini on Metro News

"At a recent seniors forum, McIver said the solution to the seniors mobility problem was "more taxi cabs". I'm sure all our seniors can afford to take a taxi everywhere, right? Did you know McIver received almost 7000 dollars from cab companies in the last election? Mciver has embarassed himself severely."

Might show his stance on transit to the airport as well.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Slava

$700k!!!

Wow. Whether you love him or hate him that really is an amazing fundraising effort. That number really is astronomical. I would guess that would be more than all of the others combined?

That's since early 2008. He's had two years more than everybody else.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I already said that the police aren't above questions. But that doesn't mean it was a smart strategy for Nenshi. I guess we'll find out on the 18th.

In what way isn't it smart? Are the boys in blue going to rough up Nenshi into a dark alley somewhere?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Again I must ask, did you read the releases? Are you under the impression that Nenshi was making direct insinuations about the cost of police officers?
.

Yes I have - my take is that he was targeting McIver not the CPS directly. Which is why I'm saying it was the wrong specific issue to try to address. If I was Nenshi I would have found a different way to go at it to keep on target.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

In what way isn't it smart? Are the boys in blue going to rough up Nenshi into a dark alley somewhere?

Nenshi has even said he completely respects the men and women who wear the blue, and thinks that Hanson and the CPS are doing a great job.