Nenshi/Hawkesworth Feud

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Sure. But she also has no formal education in political science, economics, project management, urban planning, civil engineering, or any other field of academia that would bring benefit to the position.

If Barb Higgins can be mayor, it mostly speaks to the relative harmlessness of the position, given that it clearly has few if any academic or experiential based requirements.

Academic experience means squat in a position of mayor.

What good mayors do and have always done, is surround themselves with the right people that have expertise in the areas you mentioned...its always been that way. Thats what the best business leaders do as well. Whether or not she is good enough to do this, I havent a clue, but because she didn't attend McMaster at some point means zilch.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

I want barb to win just to see cp go nuts and lose their minds!

I was discussing this on another forum. I'm leaning Nenshi, but I kinda want to see the implosion here if Higgins wins.

[alltherage]

Bob reminds me of this scene from the Simpsons:

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Klein was a reporter, not an anchor. His specialty was covering municipal politics (sometimes from the St. Louis Hotel!).

Comparing his experience to Higgins is like putting Ken King up against Iginla in a skills competition.

They both work in the same company/industry/etc. afterall...

..

Klein was a member of the media same thing as Higgins. Sure he was a reporter, however Higgins obviously has a tonne of experience.

[Shazam]

Never discount the Rod Love factor.

[Huntingwhale]

Would love to see a jello/mud wrestling match to settle this dispute.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Never discount the Rod Love factor.

Or the love rod.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Would love to see a jello/mud wrestling match to settle this dispute.

between Hawkesworth and Nenshi?

nothx

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by 4X4

If all the entrepreneurs in Calgary that don't have degrees got up and left, this city would look pretty damn different. So just give it a rest about her education already.

Oh pleeeease...show me how many Canadian companies with the number of employees and budget of the City of Calgary are headed by individuals without higher education at least somewhat related either to business, or to their specific field. Barring that, I bet every one of them had extensive experience in their field before ascending. None of which this particular mayoral candidate has.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by 4X4

If all the entrepreneurs in Calgary that don't have degrees got up and left, this city would look pretty damn different. So just give it a rest about her education already.

If the educated leaders who have proper education and direct experience in their company/organization got up and left, then you'd REALLY have a different looking city.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Seems to me the last professor elected as Calgary mayor did pretty well for himself. At last count he got a school, a university (in Edmonton, no less), a subdivision and a mountain named after him. Affable, though a bit eccentric (there was no such thing as an environmentalist at the time). Feller's name, if I recollect was Grant MacEwan.

I say it's about time a well educated city elected a smart guy mayor. In fact, it's a damn good idea, after sufferering through all the assorted dummies in office.

[FiftyBelow]

4x4, I don't remember where I read this... I think it was the Herald? But Calgary supposedly has the most educated population in Canada (highest proportion of University educated citizens). Understandable considering the white collar industries and head offices that are predominant in the city. Take away the educated base and I'm sure the city is nowhere near where it currently is in terms of economic strength.

Back on the topic of mayor, I agree that political candidates cannot be judged solely by their academic background. There are a lot of factors to take into account. In assessing the "top 3" candidates, however, it is clear that Nenshi's educational background would - in my opinion - place him in a higher qualification than the other two. Just looking at his comprehensive policy proposals alone indicate that his education has clearly instilled the knowledge and type of thinking that is necessary for the job. Its not surprising considering the guy has a Harvard Masters in Public Policy.

But in addition to his academic background the guy has strong practical experience that is advantageous for Calgary's situation:
-He's worked years for a consulting firm that has "advised large telecommunications, banking, retail, and oil and gas companies in corporate strategy."
-He's had his own business that focussed on providing advice for various public, private and non profit companies in growth.
-formulated policy for the Alberta govt.
-He's written a book about how to manage cities titled Building Up: Making Canada’s Cities Engines of Growth and Magnets of Development .
-He was chairman of the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts.
-Served on the leadership group that authored an assessment of Calgary's future.

Both his educational and practical experience all seem to indicate that he is very prepared for the job aside from his lack of political experience. He is not just some career academic that many people have tried to paint him as.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by flambers

Klein was a member of the media same thing as Higgins. Sure he was a reporter, however Higgins obviously has a tonne of experience.

Does she? What "experience", exactly, are you referring to? Experience reading from a teleprompter? Experience getting her makeup done? Experience sitting next to Darryl Janz and laughing at his stupid jokes? Because if you're not talking about any of those things then i think you're out to lunch, she was a newsreader, nothing more and nothing less.

Comparing Barb-bot to Klein is laughable at best.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Oh pleeeease...show me how many Canadian companies with the number of employees and budget of the City of Calgary are headed by individuals without higher education at least somewhat related either to business, or to their specific field. Barring that, I bet every one of them had extensive experience in their field before ascending. None of which this particular mayoral candidate has.

Thanks for the update. My point is that you don't need a degree in being a mayor to be a mayor. Bronco was a uni drop out, and Klein was a high school dropout. Guess who has a degree in urban development? Al Duerr. "His Beigeness".

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by fotze

I like Duerr though. I liked not spending any money, keeping taxes low and making commuters suffer because of it.

You should tell your boss to fire everybody that doesn't live downtown.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Comparing Barb-bot to Klein is laughable at best.

I guess I would ask why? Remember we are referencing around 20+ years ago with Klein.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by flambers

I guess I would ask why? Remember we are referencing around 20+ years ago with Klein.

Klein was a rogue who did what he wanted and didn't care what others thought about it. Some might say 'maverick.' Higgins is just a yuppie who hasn't grown up.

[Shazam]

Anyone associated with Rod Love is not a maverick.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Anyone associated with Rod Love is not a maverick.

Yeah I changed the wording. Some would say maverick, personally I'm in your camp and wouldn't either.

He did have personality though. Higgins remains a fluffball.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by flambers

I guess I would ask why? Remember we are referencing around 20+ years ago with Klein.

Firstly, Klein was a fairly hard hitting reporter who (IIRC) was CFCN's Senior Civic affairs correspondent for quite a few years, this job in and of itself had Ralph immersed in the inner workings and day to day life of city hall. Not only that, even before becoming a reporter Klein was gaining pertanent experience in the private sector opening his own buisness school and even working as a public relations rep for a couple of large non profit companies. Despite Ralph having dropped out of high school (though he later finished it and went on to post secondary) he was qualified for the job when elected, the same can not and will not (should she somehow win) be said about Barb who's only accomplishment is having kept the same job for 25 years.