I went just after 11 and other than a couple of mothers with young children, I think I was the only one there under 40 -- probably 50. Although, with the polls opening at 10, I'd expect most younger voters to show up later.
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Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
A business degree doesn't neccessarily mean that your well suited to run a business or a major municipality. I could say the McIvor has a ton of experience in city politics and probably has a good idea about the levers of power in city hall, but I don't want to promote Ric.
I always get a twinge of resentment when people tell me that a degree from any school instantly = savior and uber qualified.
I would expect if Nenshi wins that we are going to see some tremendous missteps on his part for the first quarter at least of his term.
I agree that a degree != right for the job, but looking at his professional experience, he doesn't appear to be totally "green"
Well, vote has been cast. On one hand I feel fine with either Nenshi or McIver, but I have concerns with both as well. On Nenshi, I like many things he says, but am definitely concerned he is your typical idealistic liberal--great intentions, but believes the path to utopia is via spending and more gummint.
McIver strikes me as pragmatic, not the flavour du jour that Nenshi is, but very capable. On the other hand, he has more background in council which can be picked apart easier than someone with no municipal experience. Support from developers and the issues that arise from that is a concern.
I am still waffling, still unsure. Went hesitantly with Nenshi, and am hoping I don't regret it for the next 4 years. Would not be dissappointed with either though honestly.
^ exact same scenario i am going through right now. I am voting after work and am about 80% sure i am going to vote for Nenshi. It fly's against my political leanings, but I want the existing Council to be swept out.
I have a friend with a Philosophy degree, he used to joke that the only thing he was qualified for was either to go back to school, or to be a NDP candidate. He want back to school and did a computer tech diploma and got a real job.
There are a lot of useless degrees out there, but some really good ones. Business is one where you do learn some very useful skills.
Not the best quality video as I was hand holding my DLSR and was experiencing the DT's, but here's a quick video on Nenshi talking about the Stampede Board, Enmax and the tunnel. Unfortunately, my card ran out of room before he could finish talking about the tunnel.
I have video of Nenshi talking about the tunnel. It's around the 7 minute mark. The video is a wee bit shaky so one might be better to just listen rather than watch.
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Well to pull the race card as a positive. I want someone tight with the cash, and the brown folk I have met over the years tell me that pinching pennies is what they are best at. Saying that, we need some more asian aldermen.
Its true, if people want a true fiscal conservative elect an older asian fellow. He'll treat the money as if he earned it.
I went just after 11 and other than a couple of mothers with young children, I think I was the only one there under 40 -- probably 50. Although, with the polls opening at 10, I'd expect most younger voters to show up later.
good that voter turnout is higher than previous elections, however, the anticipated 40% is still pathetic. No incumbent, tight 3-way race - Calgarian's get the frak out and vote!
I'm not sure if I really like volunteers from one candidate or another getting that involved with the voters.
"Hey what will it take to get your vote right now? Is a scary question that can be asked in a uncontrolled environment"
Candidates have been doing this in elections for decades. If you call the headquarters of McIver or Higgins right now asking for a drive to the polling station, I guarantee they'll send someone to pick you up within the hour.
So is the youth vote going to show up for Nenshi today or he just the facebook flavour of the week.
I'm gonna bet that you'll see a dramatic difference in voter turnout in the 18-35 demographics this time around.
I think some people under estimate the value of a Facebook 'like' in the realm of a political campaign. The i'd venture to say that a good majority of each candidate's Facebook followers are going to show a lot of passion and will be at the polls.
The bigger question for Nenshi, in particular, is how many of those followers were able to convert others to Nenshi's cause.
Candidates have been doing this in elections for decades. If you call the headquarters of McIver or Higgins right now asking for a drive to the polling station, I guarantee they'll send someone to pick you up within the hour.
"Good afternoon, JJ Gallow at your service."
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I have to wait until I'm off work before I get to a polling station to vote. I hope it's not superbusy by then. I really should have opened the voting booths at 7am so I could have just swung by and voted before starting work.
Relax fanboy, I wasnt taking a crack at your savior. Hilarious to pull the racist card, kinda sad really.
He has no other similarity to Al Noor Kassam other than color and you associated Nenshi with Kassam. Racist is your word, not mine. I'm just calling you out on it. Like I said, every candidate drives voters to the polls. There is even a section on it on the election website (buried in there) specifying the rules around it.
Nenshi is better qualified than the other two, but he's no saviour. He gets his chance, if he doesn't turn things around, he gets turfed.
Saying that, we need some more asian aldermen.
