Calgary Civic Election Poll #2: Who do you support for Mayor?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

1 billion seems like a lot for a reserve fund, what was the 2009 audited budget at? If budget for city is 50 bil then 1 bil isnt that much. If budget is 10 bil then that is alot. Not so much that there should be a tax breab but I think the surplus should be set as a % of revenue and if it goes over then they use that money for onetime spending - likely some form of infrastructure.

That $1 Billion dollar figure was a sum of all reserve funds through-out the city. Water Resources has a reserve fund specifically allocated for infrastructure upgrades, I think they have a few others too. So the number isn't that shocking when you consider all the different departments. But the recording of these funds was the main issue I believe.

[Bill Bumface]

What's Nenshi's stance on police funding? I'm finding it hard to keep up with platforms after my 'incident' (3 beak-ins, 3 laptops stolen) and whoever promises one heavily armed policeman per residence gets my vote.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

What's Nenshi's stance on police funding? I'm finding it hard to keep up with platforms after my 'incident' (3 beak-ins, 3 laptops stolen) and whoever promises one heavily armed policeman per residence gets my vote.

I think the only candidate talking about policing to any extent is Kent Hehr.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think the only candidate talking about policing to any extent is Kent Hehr.

Im actually surprised its just Kent who sees it as an issue (maybe its not).


As well, Im amazed Hehr has lost so much ground. Looks like I may be voting Nenshi

[Regulator75]

Kent Hehr. I laugh everytime I read that.

[Bunk]

I would expect Nenshi's detailed crime and safety platform in 2-3 weeks or so. If you watch his Youtube video at the front of his website he gives some clues as to his viewpoints on the issue. He was on the side of not allowing the Police a free pass in terms of pre-approving their budget without scrutiny, due to the lack of transparency. He's also talked about how he feels simply plunking more police on the street is not the answer to many crime issues. I suspect he'll champion a more holistic approach.

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

What's Nenshi's stance on police funding? I'm finding it hard to keep up with platforms after my 'incident' (3 beak-ins, 3 laptops stolen) and whoever promises one heavily armed policeman per residence gets my vote.

[RinkRat]

and yet, simply adding more police to the downtown has significantly lowered the areas crime....although it simply shoved it off to 5 and 4 district....

[Bunk]

^ Certainly the increased presence downtown has been a huge positive. However, that can't be the only approach. A truly safe city and particularly a safe downtown will only happen when the underlying social issues are addressed - this includes things like homelessness. Fortunately, significant strides through the Housing First approach is taking place on this front. I'd also say that revitalizing the downtown and encouraging many more people to live downtown will also make it truly safer.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by RinkRat

and yet, simply adding more police to the downtown has significantly lowered the areas crime....although it simply shoved it off to 5 and 4 district....

Statistically speaking though, in Canada, more police does not always equate to a lower crime rate.

In most cases, there are better ways to spend that money, such as community programs.

[SebC]

Instead of making the mayoral forum open, Calgary Economic Development cancelled it. Paul Hughes, for one, is very upset.

http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/loca...orum-cancelled

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Im actually surprised its just Kent who sees it as an issue (maybe its not).


As well, Im amazed Hehr has lost so much ground. Looks like I may be voting Nenshi

If you mean in the CP poll then I guess that is fine. That being said the CP poll is about as accurate as standing outside any campaign office and conducting a random poll. I was at Sunfest and one of the Nenshi volunteers said it best when she asked "have you ever heard of Naheed Nenshi?". If you think for a second that 40% of Calgarians could even name him, guess again! Even if they could though, all 40% won't be voting for him.

The only way Nenshi is a factor in the race is by taking votes away from Higgins and Hehr. I know it's a two horse race at this point, but still think that Hehr is third.

[frinkprof]

^You know Slava, I find it puzzling that many of your posts in this thread read as attacks on Nenshi. I know you work for the Hehr campaign, so choosing (seemingly) to take Nenshi down a few pegs as opposed to other opponents strikes me as cutting off your nose to spite your face. Don't get me wrong, as I would say the same thing if Nenshi or, say, Stewart supporters were doing the same in Hehr's direction. If you're going to undercut someone, why not go after the big dog (to this point) candidates and/or those that Hehr would seem to disagree with the most? McIver, Connelly, Lord, etc.

I say this as an undecided voter.

[Slava]

^ I suppose its because there are so many Nenshi supporters here. If the predominant posters were saying that they were voting for McIver or Higgins I would take a swipe at them. It's just politics!

[corporatejay]

I picked higgins only because I think she is the only realistic chance to beat Mciver and I really don't want him to win. I'll see what the pre-election polls are saying closer to election day, if Nenshi has a legitimate shot, I'll vote for him.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Slava

It's just politics!

Bad politics.

Don't tell me why the other guy is bad. Tell me why your guy is good.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Slava

If you mean in the CP poll then I guess that is fine. That being said the CP poll is about as accurate as standing outside any campaign office and conducting a random poll. I was at Sunfest and one of the Nenshi volunteers said it best when she asked "have you ever heard of Naheed Nenshi?". If you think for a second that 40% of Calgarians could even name him, guess again! Even if they could though, all 40% won't be voting for him.

The only way Nenshi is a factor in the race is by taking votes away from Higgins and Hehr. I know it's a two horse race at this point, but still think that Hehr is third.

You don't need anywhere close to 40% of eligible voters to vote for you in an election like this. If you got 40% of eligible voters voting for you last election, you would have received more votes than all the other candidates combined. If you can get even 10% of voters out to vote for you, you're a strong contender. right now it's too early to say that anyone can't get to that level of support with a good campaign.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by getbak

Bad politics.

Don't tell me why the other guy is bad. Tell me why your guy is good.

Fair enough, except that the policies of Nenshi and Hehr are very similar. Ideally Hehr would be running with Nenshi's policies (as they are more developed), but since that is not the case its a moot point.

You can say its bad politicsm and thats fine. Fact is though that the most likely voters here to support my guy are currently Nenshi supporters. Those voters supporting McIver are not likely to come over and think that Hehr is a btter option as the policies and methods are simply night and day. I would say that the policies of Higgins are a,b, or c but the fact is that I have no idea what her policies are.

So while you might deride my point as "bad politics" it isn't. I have a lot of respect for Naheed and what he is trying to accomplish. I just think that his chances of being elected hinge on him being able to leapfrog over somewhere around 8 other candidates, one of whom is a candidate that I both support and work for with a very similar platform and ideology. Why wouldn't I try to convince Nenshi supporters to come and support him in that light?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Slava

I was at Sunfest and one of the Nenshi volunteers said it best when she asked "have you ever heard of Naheed Nenshi?". If you think for a second that 40% of Calgarians could even name him, guess again! Even if they could though, all 40% won't be voting for him.

It's early. Hehr starts with more name recognition but a lot of voters may reject him simply for having been a member of the Alberta Liberal Party. Ultimately I hope that voters won't have to decide between the two... if, a week before the election, and it's clear that one is simply playing spoiler for the other, then I would hope that the one who is polling lower drops out and supports the other. But that's a week before the election, not today. Nenshi might have to leapfrog 8 candidates, but let's give him a chance to do it before we write him off.

Originally Posted by Slava

Ideally Hehr would be running with Nenshi's policies (as they are more developed), but since that is not the case its a moot point.

I'd say that's far from a moot for people trying to decide between the two.

[Bunk]

Naheed Nenshi's latest Better Idea

Better Idea #7

Calgary will be a city of sustainable, walkable, livable, complete communities

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/2010/159

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/wp-content/...-for-Mayor.pdf

Thoughts?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Slava

If the predominant posters were saying that they were voting for McIver or Higgins I would take a swipe at them.

You're not going to run into any McIver fans on the internet. They're all too busy reading the Sun and sipping on their coffee in McDonald's all morning.