I work for Mayor Nenshi, ask me anything!

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by SebC

Yes, and how much of our debt is old debt vs. new debt? Furthermore, that's only really possible in the shot run, not over 100 years.

Spoiler!

That graph isn't inflation adjusted. The 2000 ish per capita debt in 1983 would be about 4200 today.


http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/rel...on-calculator/

[SebC]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

That graph isn't inflation adjusted. The 2000 ish per capita debt in 1983 would be about 4200 today.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/rel...on-calculator/

A good chunk of that was paid off by '99 though. When we stopped charging developer levies for water and sewer is when our debt started growing again. Coincidence?

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by SebC

...
Infrastructure oversizing is part of the cost of growth, and if it gets reimbursed anyways, there's absolutely no way that ihaving the developers pay for it does anything to address the cost gap....

This is a real gem and it tells that you don't understand how the process works but still want to pass judgements. I don't even know why I respond.

[Bunk]

As the OP, can I just put the debate on this one to an end? It's hijacking the thread now.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Bunk

As the OP, can I just put the debate on this one to an end? It's hijacking the thread now.

Please do.

I'd like to bring this back to your attention though, as I believe it does fit the thread.

Originally Posted by SebC

If you've pegged the suburb subsidy at $4500 per house, why did National Post write:

"In 2011, city council partially reinstated levies on new developments, which had been abolished by the city in 2000. But the mayor isn’t satisfied, arguing that each new home on the fringe still costs the city $10,000 more in infrastructure than it receives in levies."

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by SebC

Please do.

I'd like to bring this back to your attention though, as I believe it does fit the thread.

This is a thread to ask a representative of the mayor a question.

1. That wasn't a question
2. He made that statement, why would you need to bring it to his attention?
3. He agrees with you, why bring it up here?

It doesn't belong here.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Kavvy

This is a thread to ask a representative of the mayor a question.

1. That wasn't a question
2. He made that statement, why would you need to bring it to his attention?
3. He agrees with you, why bring it up here?

It doesn't belong here.

1.

If you've pegged the suburb subsidy at $4500 per house, why did National Post write "In 2011, city council partially reinstated levies on new developments, which had been abolished by the city in 2000. But the mayor isn’t satisfied, arguing that each new home on the fringe still costs the city $10,000 more in infrastructure than it receives in levies"?

Better, grammar Nazi?

2.

I'm asking why Bunk's previously stated number and the number National Post is reporting Bunk's boss as having said are different. Do they represent different things? Was he misquoted? I want to know.

3.

See 2.

[kevman]

Why does the city keep upgrading the "don't jay walk signs" at 8th st by the Peace Bridge instead of just putting a cross walk there already? They've replaced the signs yet again (4 different signs since last March) and people continue to jay walk. When will the cross walk situation on the north end of the Peace Bridge be discussed again?

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by SebC

Please do.

I'd like to bring this back to your attention though, as I believe it does fit the thread.

Don't know.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by kevman

Why does the city keep upgrading the "don't jay walk signs" at 8th st by the Peace Bridge instead of just putting a cross walk there already? They've replaced the signs yet again (4 different signs since last March) and people continue to jay walk. When will the cross walk situation on the north end of the Peace Bridge be discussed again?

Yeah, the crosswalk should have been moved to 8th right from the start. The community pushed for it to stay at 7th (I'm not sure why). I don't know whether/when it will be revisited, but I agree that it should. People want to cross there, why not facilitate it. I suppose there is some question of cost, as it would require a retrofit of the ramps down the bank and so forth.

[Slava]

Do you still have a 'normal' job at tomorrow noon (once nominations are filed) or do you have a break of some sort until after the election? I know the term is the same as the mayor, but I think that officially goes for another month or two (not counting reelection)?

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Slava

Do you still have a 'normal' job at tomorrow noon (once nominations are filed) or do you have a break of some sort until after the election? I know the term is the same as the mayor, but I think that officially goes for another month or two (not counting reelection)?

I stay on in my capacity right through to the end of the term (including the week after election, until swearing in day). If he loses, I'll be busily preparing transition documents that week for incoming Mayor Lord. If he wins, and assuming they still want me around, I negotiate a new contract!

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Bunk

... If he loses, I'll be busily preparing transition documents that week for incoming Mayor Lord. If he wins, and assuming they still want me around, I negotiate a new contract!

Chances of Nenshi losing these elections are pretty slim. But if it does happen, Bunk, I sincerely wish you are successful in staying at the office and not turning into another registered political lobbyist!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Of course he should concern himself with CP within city boundaries. Every time there's a derailment, every time there's a bridge collapse - it's the City's emergency responders that have to risk their lives to ensure public safety. It's the citizens of Calgary, that the Mayor represents, that are massively inconvenienced when we have to shut off major roadways and evacuate areas of the city. It's city taxpayers that pay the price.

He should call attention to these facts in the media, and also meet with CP representatives directly (as he has been doing) to make sure the railway operations and city can co-exist safely and effectively. Just as CP would have every right to question or call out City operations if they were affecting the safety of its employees.

Personally, I'm glad he's going after CP. They seem like a terrible corporate citizen, and they need to be shamed into action. Their cheapness has the ability to cause a local catastrophe. The last thing we need is our own Lac Megantic because we don't want to step on precious corporate toes.

[You Need a Thneed]

Nenshi calling out CPR, and Nenshi dealing with the city's own policies are two completely different scenarios.

Why would we see Nenshi calling out city policies in the media? He's got direct access to communication without going to the media.

With CPR, he could request a meeting with them, which may go somewhere, but really, CPR needs a kick in the pants that making the issue public can bring.

Frankly, it need s some exposure. The city has to put it's resources on the line to help a corporation for which the city has no power to regulate, even within the city limits. The city cannot make bylaws that affect railway operations.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Yeah, the crosswalk should have been moved to 8th right from the start. The community pushed for it to stay at 7th (I'm not sure why). I don't know whether/when it will be revisited, but I agree that it should. People want to cross there, why not facilitate it. I suppose there is some question of cost, as it would require a retrofit of the ramps down the bank and so forth.

Can the city ever just say to the community "no, that's stupid. We're doing it this way because (and then give reasons about jay walking, etc.)?

I understand that communities deserve to have some input, but sometimes it just costs more to fix what we all knew was going to happen anyway.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Chances of Nenshi losing these elections are pretty slim. But if it does happen, Bunk, I sincerely wish you are successful in staying at the office and not turning into another registered political lobbyist!

My loyalties are with Nenshi, and each Mayor hires their own staff, so I wouldn't be there if Naheed lost. No interest in being a lobbyist though, I'd move on to other things - but certainly something to do with improving our city.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Can the city ever just say to the community "no, that's stupid. We're doing it this way because (and then give reasons about jay walking, etc.)?

I understand that communities deserve to have some input, but sometimes it just costs more to fix what we all knew was going to happen anyway.

Certainly. I can't see the current configuration lasting forever - just doesn't seem to work - it's fighting against people's "desire line" which of course is the most direct route.

[Bigtime]

Maybe Bunk can do some digging on this, as it happened before I became a Sunnysider. But I had heard the city sent out a survey in regards to crosswalk options for the Peace bridge, apparently there were 3 answers but the wording pretty much eliminated there being any hope for the crossing at the Peace bridge, so it was doomed to not be selected no matter what.

I'm fuzzy on it, but have heard about it.

It is ridiculous to not have the crossing right there, move the crossing to that location and eliminate the one to the east of it.

[nik-]

I don't remember getting the survey, but from what I've heard, the wording was pretty odd. Either way, they need to move that crosswalk.