Municipal Politics - Page 35

Bigtime · #**681** Posted: **Jun 13, 2012, 1:39 AM**

Breaking now that Mar is going to go for it in Calgary Centre.

srperrycgy · #**682** Posted: **Jun 13, 2012, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Breaking now that Mar is going to go for it in Calgary Centre.

I'd actually vote for him, just so he can disappear for a few years.

Annoyed with Joan Crockett already. F-ing robocalls.

freeweed · #**683** Posted: **Jun 13, 2012, 5:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

Just looked at a bunch of B-52 pics. I didn't see any resemblance.

It ain't a visual resemblance. Guess I shoulda said unhear.

freeweed · #**684** Posted: **Jun 14, 2012, 4:46 AM**

Not quite sure what to comment about this.

Jimby · #**685** Posted: **Jun 14, 2012, 5:58 AM**

the Mayor tweeted that it's his favourite picture of himself!

also on twitter tonight:

Craig Chandler ‏@CraigBChandler
@aldjohnmar Are you getting an award for abandoning the Ward 8 voters? Anyone but Mar campaign. I know party does not want you #yyc #yyccc

monocle · #**686** Posted: **Jun 14, 2012, 12:07 PM**

My wife and I attended the Calgary Awards last night. Mar definitely has a flare to his clothing style...Although he appeared to be the most polished (up there with Druh) amongst Aldermen.

Jermey Sturgess received the Signature award, and David L. Neil received an award for Heritage in the Community Acheivement section. Very interesting to hear how Lewis was instrumental in preserving many buildings on Stephen Avenue.

We were very proud for the Calgary Horticultural Society's Community Garden Resource Network's Eenvironmental Achievment award, as we worked closely with them last year getting our Community Garden up and running. W00t CalHort!

Bigtime · #**687** Posted: **Jun 14, 2012, 12:33 PM**

Haha, I love that picture of Naheed. He should replicate it on his last ever day of office as mayor. That would be awesome.

halifaxboyns · #**688** Posted: **Jun 14, 2012, 2:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by para transit fellow

This municipal charter for cities thing, do we have a thread on this or some resources to read-up on?

I'm not clear what changes a charter would lend to Calgary. Any short answers?

If you look at the Toronto City Charter, provides a whole laundry list of powers to the city. But, the key was to find mechanisms to raise money to pay for services. So the Charter allowed them to create things like a vehicle tax, deed transfer tax and other things which increased revenues for the city. But it also gives them the power to determine their planning process, legislate public safety, parking and all that other fun stuff.

MalcolmTucker · #**689** Posted: **Jun 14, 2012, 3:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

If you look at the Toronto City Charter, provides a whole laundry list of powers to the city. But, the key was to find mechanisms to raise money to pay for services. So the Charter allowed them to create things like a vehicle tax, deed transfer tax and other things which increased revenues for the city. But it also gives them the power to determine their planning process, legislate public safety, parking and all that other fun stuff.

Yeah, much more master of their own house type thing in terms of planning.

Quote:

Citizen power in city charter

New types of taxes face plebiscite

By Jason Markusoff, Calgary HeraldJune 14, 2012 6:29 AM

Calgarians will have a clear idea before the next civic election of their council's new powers and abilities to gain extra revenue under a city charter, according to an agreement the mayor and provincial government will sign Monday.

Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths is already signalling at some conditions he wants in a long-sought "new deal" for Edmonton and Calgary, including a plebiscite for any new types of taxes, and possibly a link between new funds and smart, cost-efficient urban growth patterns.

Neither city's mayor appears keen on bowing to those stipulations, if they're indeed part of the package that gives Alberta's two big cities more clout.

Personally I don't think having the items subject to plebiscite is bad - look at cities in the USA that have had to rely on revenues that grow and shrink with the economy, like sales taxes and land transfer taxes, for operational funds, and you see a failed model.

I also think if you put an add on gas tax and vehicle registration tax to vote in a value propostion for completing the SE and North Central LRT, it would get approved easily. It would also stop a future council from trying to get rid of taxes that are needed for things people want out of principle (such as Rob Ford's mini tax revolt).

The whole value proposition I think makes it work, sure it can be messy, but maybe Calgarians are willing to pay for nicer things, faster. I don't think we are much different from Denver, Salt Lake, or other cities in that regard.

Bigtime · #**690** Posted: **Jul 25, 2012, 8:53 PM**

So John Mar is staying at the municipal level, for now.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...medium=twitter

Ramsayfarian · #**691** Posted: **Jul 25, 2012, 11:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

So John Mar is staying at the municipal level, for now.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...medium=twitter

Bummer, I was really looking forward to him moving on. Here's to a stronger challenger next civic election.

srperrycgy · #**692** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 1:32 AM**

Disappointed to hear this. Was looking forward to Johnnie disappearing into the Tory backbenches. As for beating him next year, whoever wants to try will have to have deep pockets.

suburbia · #**693** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 3:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

Disappointed to hear this. Was looking forward to Johnnie disappearing into the Tory backbenches. As for beating him next year, whoever wants to try will have to have deep pockets.

Tories wanted someone more right wing and so told him to go jump in the lake - so is the rumour.

fusili · #**694** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 2:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

Tories wanted someone more right wing and so told him to go jump in the lake - so is the rumour.

Perhaps that is true. But Calgary Centre is a very centrist, if not leftist riding. It has elected Kent Hehr as one of the only Liberals in the Legislature for multiple terms, was the strongest pro-Nenshi ward in the city and kept Joe Clark in Parliament when the Reform was dominating Alberta. If the conservatives put someone too right in Calgary Centre, they could very well lose to a strong Liberal candidate. It would be a huge coup for the Liberals if that did happen.

Bigtime · #**695** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 2:45 PM**

I agree with Fusili, the conservatives may have just made this a more interesting riding to watch play out come the next election.

suburbia · #**696** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 4:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusili

Perhaps that is true. But Calgary Centre is a very centrist, if not leftist riding.

I agree. The cons haven't figured that out yet. Remember that in the recent provincial elections they didn't even support the provincial PC's, rather, they supported the right wing Wildrose. That fact in and of itself makes the Mar rumour believable. Anyone who protects Rob Anders can't like Mar as their candidate in an adjacent constituency.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I agree with Fusili, the conservatives may have just made this a more interesting riding to watch play out come the next election.

Absolutely. The centre has an opportunity here.

Jimby · #**697** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 8:44 PM**

wrong thread sorry

Bigtime · #**698** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 8:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

wrong thread sorry

Very interesting theory, things could be pretty neat in Calgary Centre.

Why did you delete it? Seemed like the right info for this thread, Bronconnier resigning his Washington post with speculation of a run as a liberal in Calgary Centre.

Jimby · #**699** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 10:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Very interesting theory, things could be pretty neat in Calgary Centre.

Why did you delete it? Seemed like the right info for this thread, Bronconnier resigning his Washington post with speculation of a run as a liberal in Calgary Centre.

I thought it was the wrong thread. Sorry about that.

suburbia · #**700** Posted: **Nov 7, 2012, 5:07 PM**

I hear the purple army is mobilizing. Video on nenshi.ca at 2pm

Anyone watch Obama's victory speech? Anyone notice how Obama is sounding more and more like Nenshi?