If Gondek gets elected, she'll be going to the province with an extremely strong hand to play. The UCP will themselves need to be calling an election within about 18 months, while suffering historically low popularity province-wide, and absolutely needing to win Calgary. We just saw the CPC lose more votes in Calgary than anywhere else in the country. Add an adamently anti-UCP mayor getting elected to the mix, plus the NDP likely say the right things about opening up the funding model for re-negotiation. If there is a time for a mayor (or mayoral candidate) to play this tactic, it's definitely right now.
The Following 28 Users Say Thank You to octothorp For This Useful Post:
Being concerned about flexibility of 12-17 year olds? Under the municipal bylaw, they are not denied essential services. The bylaw doesn't cover:
- Retail and malls (including the food court)
- Libraries
- Employment
- Schools
- Accommodation
- Places of Worship
- Health, Personal, and Wellness Services
- Post-secondary institutions (including residences and cafeterias)
because they aren't covered under the provincial restrictions. What does he think is essential that they're being denied (if unvaccinated)?
All city rec facilities and arenas were already doing the REP, which prompted a whole whack of sport organizations (including Hockey Calgary) to adopt their vaccination policies since otherwise you might be able to play a game in one arena, but not another. Now it's just a blanket rule across the city.
What this bylaw does is remove the ambiguity of the provincial REP, and take away the opt-in option. It opts everybody in, and therefore gives municipal peace officers the ability to enforce it.
Also, it's cute that he is using 'establishment politicians' defensively. But it's sad that people will buy it. What is an establishment politician if not somebody who gets into politics as a teenager into a political think tank set up by a career politician who was the son of a career politician and then runs for politics at 22 using tactics set out by said organization?
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Roughneck For This Useful Post:
If voting for Gondek is voting for Nenshi again, she has my vote. Someone similar to Nenshi, but not Nenshi, is just what I was looking for.
I did vote for Nenshi every time he ran for mayor and thought he did a great job. I just think he's had enough and that's clearly becoming apparent in what he's saying now. He's made a few comments over the past couple years where I agreed with the sentiment, but not the delivery. So while I don't agree with change for change's sake, I do think it's time for someone new, with a similar vision.
The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Amethyst For This Useful Post:
Why do most of the pro-Farkas comments on social media all have that same kind of “he’s not afraid to speak up, he’s got my vote!” quality about them. You never hear anybody say something intelligent about his candidacy or qualifications.
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Wormius For This Useful Post:
Why do most of the pro-Farkas comments on social media all have that same kind of “he’s not afraid to speak up, he’s got my vote!” quality about them. You never hear anybody say something intelligent about his candidacy or qualifications.
I feel like some people really confuse ‘calls a spade a spade’, ‘shoots from the hip’, ‘says what’s in their mind’ and ‘worthy of being listened to’.
__________________
No, no…I’m not sloppy, or lazy. This is a sign of the boredom.
Why do most of the pro-Farkas comments on social media all have that same kind of “he’s not afraid to speak up, he’s got my vote!” quality about them. You never hear anybody say something intelligent about his candidacy or qualifications.
Does it remind you of what supporters of a certain divisive American politician used to parrot?
Farkas is a populist, he's not campaigning on his qualifications.
My favorite Farkas "policy" is that he'should 100% against any sort od spending on arts and culture but always manages to shoehorn the issue into some kind of question about "why aren't we helping indigenous artists ?"
My favorite is career politicians acting like they are the pro-business choice (Farkas, Kenney).
With Farkas especially, his resume of relevant experience includes babysitter for his younger cousins as a youth, studying Israel a whole bunch for some reason, and 4 years of grandstanding and voting "no" on everything... In descending order of relevance.
This is the guy that is going to run a city of 1.3M people and an annual budget of almost $4B???
The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to Bill Bumface For This Useful Post:
Does the mayor run the city though? Of course they're the public face of things, but in reality, many unelected positions have far greater influence on how things are run, and the mayor is basically an at-large councillor, with no more say than any of the other fourteen.
I think most people would say that Mayor Nenshi was a successful mayor, especially early on in his eleven year tenure, but if you were listening closely to what his goals were back in the summer of 2010, he's been successful in achieving almost none of them, despite being incredibly popular. He just couldn't seem to get seven other votes for any of the big stuff.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MegaErtz For This Useful Post:
Does the mayor run the city though? Of course they're the public face of things, but in reality, many unelected positions have far greater influence on how things are run, and the mayor is basically an at-large councillor, with no more say than any of the other fourteen.
I think most people would say that Mayor Nenshi was a successful mayor, especially early on in his eleven year tenure, but if you were listening closely to what his goals were back in the summer of 2010, he's been successful in achieving almost none of them, despite being incredibly popular. He just couldn't seem to get seven other votes for any of the big stuff.
You're right. We should all elect the least experienced, biggest tool of the top 3 candidates. Farkas it is. And yes the bureaucrats run the show, but the City Manager is appointed by Council, and reports to them.
Didn't Nenshi run largely on developers paying their "fair share" and enabling secondary suites?
I though bylaws were passed to improve the pool of units available for suites, and to levy developers for wastewater and treatment infrastructure.
Last edited by Bill Bumface; 09-26-2021 at 11:08 AM.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Bill Bumface For This Useful Post:
Does the mayor run the city though? Of course they're the public face of things, but in reality, many unelected positions have far greater influence on how things are run, and the mayor is basically an at-large councillor, with no more say than any of the other fourteen.
Thank you for saying it. The mayor doesn’t run the city; the CAO does. It bothers me when candidates make promises such as, “I’ll reduce taxes,” and “I’ll cut crime.” It shows ignorance or arrogance.
I think most people would say that Mayor Nenshi was a successful mayor, especially early on in his eleven year tenure, but if you were listening closely to what his goals were back in the summer of 2010, he's been successful in achieving almost none of them, despite being incredibly popular. He just couldn't seem to get seven other votes for any of the big stuff.
Really? I wrote 3 of his "twelve better ideas for Calgary" and it seems to me as soon as campaign finance changes were made, he achieved to a pretty high degree, all twelve original platform items.
Better Idea #1 Calgary will be a city where secondary suites provide a safe and legal option for affordable housing
Took until 2017, but done. Thousands of units have been converted to legal and brought to code since.
Better Idea #2 Improve the audit system and bring more transparency to City Hall
Inarguably, the audit system is way, way stronger at the City now due to his leadership.
Better Idea #3 Calgary will be the best place in Canada to start and grow a business
Did the cut red tape initiative, we have the Business and Local Economy Team embedded in the City Manager's Office, which is having good effect. Business Advisory Committee, etc. Soooo many processes are better, including supply/procurement, planning and building approvals. We've gone from achieving approval timelines only about 35% of the time, to over 85%, for instance.
Better Idea #4 Convenient and quick access to the airport
This was about Airport Tunnel and a BRT to Airport, both of which happened.
Better Idea #5 Calgary Transit must be a preferred choice for Calgarians
This included promise to remove the $3 park-and-ride charge, create a Transit Riders Advisory Group, and leveraging technology to improve (real time arrival, etc) to improve rider experience.
Also promised a new long term plan for Transit, which happened through RouteAhead. He also talked about the need for cross town and more BRT (MAX BRT system) and realigning North LRT to Centre Street from Nose Creek, which also happened.
Better Idea #6 Political campaigns should be about the best ideas and not the most money
He lobbied every Premier to change Campaign Finance Rules. Finally Kenney's did (but unfortunately did leave door open to third party money).
Better Idea #7 Calgary will be a city of sustainable, walkable, livable, complete communities
A lot of this one was about increasing suburban development levies and reducing subsidy, complete community design, increased intensification - steady progress in the last 11 years. In 2010, more than 100% of growth was happening in greenfield, existing communities were dropping population, now we've had steady growth in downtown and the inner city (though older 70s-90s burbs are still offsetting that gain with population loss, though a much more difficult issue to resolve given their designs).
Better Idea #8 City Council will be more transparent, more efficient, and easier for citizens to access and engage
This one included video minutes, alternative ways to conduct public hearings and publishing council expenses. All of which has happened.
Better Idea #9 Calgarians will be able to get around easily by any mode of transportation
Got a new transit strategy, BRT and Green Line underway, Cycling Strategy and Cycle Tracks and commensurate increase in cycling, Pedestrian Strategy and increased investment into the mode. Helped enable SWRR, built a lot of transportation infrastructure, including Crow/Bow improvements, 162nd, Glenmore/Ogden, North Stoney Interchanges, Bowfort Interchange, Airport Trail Interchanges, etc. Doubled the snow removal budget, and implemented things like restricted parking policies for snow events.
Better Idea #10 Calgary will reduce the number of people living in poverty and ensure opportunity for all
Achieved getting the poverty reduction strategy and working with provincial and federal partners on poverty reduction. Low income transit pass, Fair entry. All big steps.
Better Idea #11 Calgary will be a city where every neighbourhood is a safe neighbourhood
Increasing community policing strategies, partnership models. Recent example of this is Stephen Ave Safety Hub.
Better Idea #12 Calgary will be a City where its citizens are enriched by outstanding libraries, recreation amenities, and a vibrant cultural scene
Getting Central Library and more branches was central to this promise. Generational investments in libraries and major rec centres, cultural facilities like National Music Centre and Arts Commons and others like arena and BMO
I mean you can argue the degree to which he achieved each of these, but from first hand experience I know he was laser focused on trying to live up to all twelve (and the new challenges that came along during the tumultuous decade).
__________________
Trust the snake.
Last edited by Bunk; 09-26-2021 at 12:13 PM.
The Following 62 Users Say Thank You to Bunk For This Useful Post:
Farkas was unquestionably the biggest opponent to the arena deal, voted against it both times. The only thing I can give him credit for (at all, in his entire four years on council) was his appeal for a proper period of public consultation.
Gondek voted for it in 2019 but against it in 2021.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MegaErtz For This Useful Post:
Really? I wrote 3 of his "twelve better ideas for Calgary" and it seems to me as soon as campaign finance changes were made, he achieved to a pretty high degree, all twelve original platform items.
Better Idea #1 Calgary will be a city where secondary suites provide a safe and legal option for affordable housing
Took until 2017, but done. Thousands of units have been converted to legal and brought to code since.
Better Idea #2 Improve the audit system and bring more transparency to City Hall
Inarguably, the audit system is way, way stronger at the City now due to his leadership.
Better Idea #3 Calgary will be the best place in Canada to start and grow a business
Did the cut red tape initiative, we have the Business and Local Economy Team embedded in the City Manager's Office, which is having good effect. Business Advisory Committee, etc. Soooo many processes are better, including supply/procurement, planning and building approvals. We've gone from achieving approval timelines only about 35% of the time, to over 85%, for instance.
Better Idea #4 Convenient and quick access to the airport
This was about Airport Tunnel and a BRT to Airport, both of which happened.
Better Idea #5 Calgary Transit must be a preferred choice for Calgarians
This included promise to remove the $3 park-and-ride charge, create a Transit Riders Advisory Group, and leveraging technology to improve (real time arrival, etc) to improve rider experience.
Also promised a new long term plan for Transit, which happened through RouteAhead. He also talked about the need for cross town and more BRT (MAX BRT system) and realigning North LRT to Centre Street from Nose Creek, which also happened.
Better Idea #6 Political campaigns should be about the best ideas and not the most money
He lobbied every Premier to change Campaign Finance Rules. Finally Kenney's did (but unfortunately did leave door open to third party money).
Better Idea #7 Calgary will be a city of sustainable, walkable, livable, complete communities
A lot of this one was about increasing suburban development levies and reducing subsidy, complete community design, increased intensification - steady progress in the last 11 years. In 2010, more than 100% of growth was happening in greenfield, existing communities were dropping population, now we've had steady growth in downtown and the inner city (though older 70s-90s burbs are still offsetting that gain with population loss, though a much more difficult issue to resolve given their designs).
Better Idea #8 City Council will be more transparent, more efficient, and easier for citizens to access and engage
This one included video minutes, alternative ways to conduct public hearings and publishing council expenses. All of which has happened.
Better Idea #9 Calgarians will be able to get around easily by any mode of transportation
Got a new transit strategy, BRT and Green Line underway, Cycling Strategy and Cycle Tracks and commensurate increase in cycling, Pedestrian Strategy and increased investment into the mode. Helped enable SWRR, built a lot of transportation infrastructure, including Crow/Bow improvements, 162nd, Glenmore/Ogden, North Stoney Interchanges, Bowfort Interchange, Airport Trail Interchanges, etc. Doubled the snow removal budget, and implemented things like restricted parking policies for snow events.
Better Idea #10 Calgary will reduce the number of people living in poverty and ensure opportunity for all
Achieved getting the poverty reduction strategy and working with provincial and federal partners on poverty reduction. Low income transit pass, Fair entry. All big steps.
Better Idea #11 Calgary will be a city where every neighbourhood is a safe neighbourhood
Increasing community policing strategies, partnership models. Recent example of this is Stephen Ave Safety Hub.
Better Idea #12 Calgary will be a City where its citizens are enriched by outstanding libraries, recreation amenities, and a vibrant cultural scene
Getting Central Library and more branches was central to this promise. Generational investments in libraries and major rec centres, cultural facilities like National Music Centre and Arts Commons and others like arena and BMO
I mean you can argue the degree to which he achieved each of these, but from first hand experience I know he was laser focused on trying to live up to all twelve (and the new challenges that came along during the tumultuous decade).
The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to D as in David For This Useful Post:
Keating confirmed to Postmedia Monday that his office has sent the cease and desist letter to Ward 12 council candidate Craig Chandler, accusing him of spreading false information to residents at doorsteps and in phone calls.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bigtime For This Useful Post:
Why do most of the pro-Farkas comments on social media all have that same kind of “he’s not afraid to speak up, he’s got my vote!” quality about them. You never hear anybody say something intelligent about his candidacy or qualifications.
