Bronco not to run for mayor

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I think our lack of culture in this city has more to do with the nature of employment in the oil patch (Engineers, accountants, and finance people) than whether or not our city council shuts down Memorial drive for a day in the summer, buys out the Cecil for $11 million, or builds an expensive pedestrian bridge.

I think people striving for more 'culture' look far beyond those kinds of things and I don't think it has much to do with Calgary's white collar nature - more our relatively immmaturity as a city, small size and underpopulated core.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Oh the melodrama! You sound like those John Kerry supporters back in '04:

"If Bush wins again I'm going to seriously consider moving to Canada."

I think our lack of culture in this city has more to do with the nature of employment in the oil patch (Engineers, accountants, and finance people) than whether or not our city council shuts down Memorial drive for a day in the summer, buys out the Cecil for $11 million, or builds an expensive pedestrian bridge.

All that said I do agree with the general sentiment that Rick Mcivor would be a terrible mayor. Anyone that pops up on a google search of Chris Chandler should be considered with great caution. Rick was a valuble member in city council because he was often one of the only council members that raised the issue of fiscal restraint, zero-based budgeting, et al. Problem is as many have pointed out, he would probably run the city with little regard to building a liveable city and would cater to subburbanite shut-ins.

Hahaha, 'melodrama'. Somehow I knew Cowboy89 would pipe up and chime in when the words 'Calgary' and 'culture' are used in the same post. Difference is, unlike your 'Kerry supporters' example, I'd actually follow through with it. I've lived in and traveled to many different cities around the world, and have realized through my experiences that life is just too short to be confined to living in only one city or region. If McIvor becomes mayor, it's not hard for someone like me to pick up and go. Especially not in this day and age.

And I agree with Bunk, I think your view on 'culture' in this city, given your post, is incredibly narrow and short-sighted.

[burn_this_city]

Go McIver, he's been an excellent Alderman for my ward since 01. Unless theres some other high profile candidate I can see him winning.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by Muta

Hahaha, 'melodrama'. Somehow I knew Cowboy89 would pipe up and chime in when the words 'Calgary' and 'culture' are used in the same post. Difference is, unlike your 'Kerry supporters' example, I'd actually follow through with it. I've lived in and traveled to many different cities around the world, and have realized through my experiences that life is just too short to be confined to living in only one city or region. If McIvor becomes mayor, it's not hard for someone like me to pick up and go. Especially not in this day and age.

And I agree with Bunk, I think your view on 'culture' in this city, given your post, is incredibly narrow and short-sighted.

Muta, let's say that McIver won and you chose not to move and instead chose to make Calgary a "better place", one that you would find acceptable to live in despite Blinky being mayor. How would you channel your energy and passion for culture into improving Calgary?

I am targeting you a bit, but I think its a problem that young people like yourself that have had many different cultural experiences and promote a worldview are so apt to just pick up and leave instead of taking action to shape their environment for the better.

You make another interesting point, though. I wonder how many Kerry supporters actually did move to Canada after Bush won his second term.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Shazam

He was the exact man that Calgary needed at the time.

He just seemed to run out of ideas lately.

Yes, I agree. His only idea was to cry to higher governments for more money. I didn't vote for him last time because of it. Anyway, thank you Bronco for your time and thank you for moving on.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

Muta, let's say that McIver won and you chose not to move and instead chose to make Calgary a "better place", one that you would find acceptable to live in despite Blinky being mayor. How would you channel your energy and passion for culture into improving Calgary?

I am targeting you a bit, but I think its a problem that young people like yourself that have had many different cultural experiences and promote a worldview are so apt to just pick up and leave instead of taking action to shape their environment for the better.

You make another interesting point, though. I wonder how many Kerry supporters actually did move to Canada after Bush won his second term.

I agree with this. I for one would probably be more motivated to return to Calgary from abroad and fight for where I think the city should go. Calgary's at an important juncture in its history and it needs leaders to help it reach its real potential.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by ken0042

One name being mentioned on Global TV is Ken King.

I could vote for him!

I'd vote for him in a heartbeat.

In regards to McIver, he won't stand a chance. Cities almost invariably pick a mayor that's firmly left wing, especially fiscally.

[4X4]

Goldie Wilson for Mayor!

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

I am targeting you a bit, but I think its a problem that young people like yourself that have had many different cultural experiences and promote a worldview are so apt to just pick up and leave instead of taking action to shape their environment for the better.

You make another interesting point, though. I wonder how many Kerry supporters actually did move to Canada after Bush won his second term.

That's exactly what I was getting at. A large reason why Calgary seems very uncultured is that the very people who grow up here who would make it a more cultured place just pick up and move and we back fill them with rural people or small city/town people from elsewhere who on a comparitive basis think Calgary already is a cosmopolitan epicenter of 'culture.'

If Rick McIvor becomes mayor, he's still only one vote on the council. There's still plenty of opportunity for opposing views to not only be brought up but also acted upon should they have support by other council members.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

If Rick McIvor becomes mayor, he's still only one vote on the council. There's still plenty of opportunity for opposing views to not only be brought up but also acted upon should they have support by other council members.

But he'd be our representative to the outside world. Ugh.

lol

[mykalberta]

The herald showed Ken Kings picture as a possible mayoral candidate this morning.

Not sure who good he would be, but in the Canadian Mayoral Olympic handshake competition Ken King would literally not figuratively kill everyone.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

That's exactly what I was getting at. A large reason why Calgary seems very uncultured is that the very people who grow up here who would make it a more cultured place just pick up and move and we back fill them with rural people or small city/town people from elsewhere who on a comparitive basis think Calgary already is a cosmopolitan epicenter of 'culture.'

What's your view of culture? (serious question)

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Problem is as many have pointed out, he would probably run the city with little regard to building a liveable city and would cater to subburbanite shut-ins.

What are you basing this on? The fact that his ward is in the deep suburbs, and currently he does his best to express the interests of the people who live in his ward?

Right now his job is to cater to the needs of subburbanites; and according to you he is doing that job very well.

[arloiginla]

I'm going to run. Would like to secure CP's early vote!

[pylon]

I don't understand all the hate for Bronconnier. He was a very no BS guy. He did what he said, and if you didn't like it, oh well. Very much like Klein in that sense. He also was very aggressive in getting federal support for a lot of our infrastructure projects.

Dave is a client of ours and we see him quite regularly throughout the year. Behind the scenes, when he isn't in mayor mode, he is as normal of a guy as you could ever meet. Very down to earth, very funny, and a real guy's guy. You would be shocked at how funny the guy actually is Off the record.

His sentiments on a lot of the political BS going on in this province was not much different than that of most regular Joes. It was neat to be able to pick his brain about the ring road issue and the negotiations with the Tsuu'tinna last year. Obviously I cannot repeat any of the stuff that was said as it was off the record, but it was very enlightening.

[Clarkey]

Ken King could be an excellent Primeminister so there is no doubt that he would also be a great mayor. To me there is no better person for the job.

[chummer]

I remember back in the 80's I had my house broken into.

The insurance company set me up with a restoration company and the president came over to make sure everything was done right.

I was really impressed with the guy even though his visit was brief.

It was Dave Bronconnier,I still have his card.

[4X4]

TBQH, if I got to choose where I'd like to see KK, I'd put him in the Premier's chair. Alberta needs a smart businessman at it's helm.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by 4X4

TBQH, if I got to choose where I'd like to see KK, I'd put him in the Premier's chair. Alberta needs a smart businessman at it's helm.

I'd jizz in my pants if that ever happened.

[yads]

Originally Posted by edn88

Not sad about this at all - I am sick of the only answer to everything being raising taxes. That is a BS response to the population increase... as the population increases, so to does your tax base. Put user fees in place for items that are too popular, and stop whining.

Except I don't think that's how it works. 'Raising' taxes, means raising the amount of tax collected from everyone. As people move into the city they spread the taxes out amongst more people, which means individual taxes decrease. So raising taxes is in fact required to maintain the same per capita spending.