Author Archive

The Alberta 2012 Election Echo Chamber

1
April 13, 2012 - By

 

 

Most people that know me will confirm that I love to use Twitter and think that is an amazing social media platform.  Over the past three years, I have been engaged on this medium and have met some outstanding Calgarians of all party stripes online.  I have become friends with a diverse group of people on twitter that I probably would never have met in real life.  Over the past few years we have always had a great banter and while we often disagreed, we could have a respectful debate.  This can best be seen through the diverse group of bloggers and media people that often get together for “Politweet” meet-ups, usually generously hosted by Joey Oberhoffner and Derrick Jacobson.  These tweetups take place with people from the entire political spectrum and truth be told, we all get along just fine!  That said, not all of the twitter engagement over the past few weeks with respect to #abvote has been as ideal.

 

I have noticed that over the past month the tone from all parties on Twitter has gotten a tad nasty.  Its OK for all parties to disagree, but I am shocked [...]Read More

Categories: Provincial Election - Commentary

Alberta 2012 Provincial Election Riding Profile: Calgary Southeast

1
April 12, 2012 - By

The riding of Calgary Southeast was created in 2010 with the Alberta provincial boundary changes, due to explosive population growth in this area.  The riding was carved out of Calgary Hays and parts of Calgary Shaw and includes the neighborhoods of Auburn Bay, Chaparral, Copperfield, Cranston, Mahogany, New Brighton and Silverado.  The riding was previously represented by PCAA MLA Art Johnston from 2004-2012.

 

Most of the communities in the riding of Calgary Southeast have all been built after 2000, so this is a dynamic, new suburban area.  The are is also home to the massive new South Calgary Health Campus that is set to open this year.  The area is made up of a lot of young families and professionals.

 

The Candidates: 


Brad Carroll   ( Liberal)

 

Rick Fraser  ( PCAA)

 

Bill Jarvis    ( WRP)

Marta Warszynski ( NDP)

 

I will attempt to post some individual interviews with the candidates on this site during the election.

 

To find out where you vote in Calgary Southeast, head over to this link.

 

Note: [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Provincial Election - News

Alberta PC Leadership Vlog Post

September 16, 2011 - By

With only one days left in the Alberta PC Leadership Race, I have finally decided to do a post!  Here is a quick ramble about my thoughts on the race…..

This weekend should finally bring some excitement to this race!  I am interested to see who will move on to the top three.

 

Shane

 

This post is a cross reference post from www.calgaryrants.com

Categories: Uncategorized

Video Interview With 2010 Calgary Mayoral Candidate Ric McIver

October 15, 2010 - By

I had the opportunity to sit down with Ric McIver this morning for a quick blog interview.  I was surprised that we were actually able to connect, given the fact that the election is less than 3 days away!  Ric had some interesting responses on the importance of the first 60 days in office, what separates him from the other candidates and his views on some major city issues, including the SW Ring Road, airport tunnel and recreation facilities in Calgary.

 Here is the video….

I apologize for the shaky hand, but I do not pretend to be a professional at all! 

I am impressed that Ric made some time for my blog and for CalgaryPolitics.com given how hectic his schedule must be right now. I know that all of the candidates are looking forward to the vote on Monday!

Also, if you do not have any plans on election night feel free to join CalgaryPolitics.com for our election party!

http://calgarypolitics.com/2010/10/13/the-only-election-night-party-you-should-even-think-of-attending/

Shane

This was cross posted from Shane at www.calgaryrants.com

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Interview with Ward 12 and 14 Public School Trustee Candidate Malik Amery

1
October 14, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Malik Amery who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 12 &14 this term. 
 

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I am proud to say that I am a product of the CBE and depiction of its success. My mandate is simply to contribute back to a system which brought me up; resurrect it back to a system which all others are measured against and then safeguard it for future generations. I am running for School Board Trustee to work towards rectifying the numerous deficiencies plaguing the public school system. I believe that the principal stakeholders (i.e. students, parents, educators and community) [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview with Ward 6 and 7 Calgary Public School Board Trustee Candidate Dr. George Lane

1
October 13, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Dr. George Lane, who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 6 & 7 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I want to be re-elected to help ensure that the CBE retains its Mission, Vision, and Values; ‘grabs the inspiring future’; advances from a Good to a Great system and provides each student with a rich and diverse range of choices to prepare themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing and competitive world.

Can you share some of your past volunteer, political and/or Board of Directors experience?

PAST BOARDS – Developmental Disabilities Resources Centre, DDRFoundation, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, The Banff Centre, Banff [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 1 and 2 Calgary Public School Trustee Candidate Josh Traptow

October 12, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Josh Traptow who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 1 & 2 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I’m running because I want to make a difference, as a recent former student I saw areas that worked really well in schools and in the system but areas that could be improved upon as well. This also gives me a chance to give back to my community and to a system that I give credit to who I am today. From an early age my parents instilled in me that being involved and giving back to your community is important and this [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 11 and 12 Catholic School Board Trustee Kim VanKosh

October 12, 2010 - By

 This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.


This interview is with Kim VanKosh, who will be running for election as the Catholic School  Board Trustee in Ward 11 & 12 this term.

Why are your running for the position of school board trustee?

I am passionate about Catholic Education and want to be involved in the decisions that shape our school systems. About 18 months ago, I attended one of the initial sessions for the Inspiring Education Initiative and that involvement reinforced my decision to run as a candidate for School Trustee.

I believe that the Board of Trustees needs more diversity and that the Board needs someone with a new perspective. I have children that are in elementary school and have a different [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board

Interview With Ward 11 and 13 Public School Trustee Candidate Catherine Heggerud

October 11, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Catherine Heggerud, who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 11 & 13 this term.

 

 

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I am running for public school trustee for two primary reasons:

I believe that public education is a fundamental right for all citizens of a democracy. Education strengthens the citizen; and an engaged citizen strengthens the democracy. All the years I spent at TELUS, I believed it was my responsibility to make the organization the best it could be. With my children in the public school system, I believe my education and experience can contribute to the CBE by building [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 11 and 13 Public School Board Trustee Julie Kearns

October 10, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Julie Kearns, who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 11 & 13 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I care about education. I care about democracy and the crucial role of local communities to govern their affairs. I am known as a visionary leader, and I have experience as an educator; community volunteer; parent & grandparent; knowledge of best practices in educational governance; expertise in measuring outcomes; sensitivity to the political dimensions of education; and belief in our capacity to change and adapt to the future.

My commitment, as the Public School Board Trustee for Wards 11 & 13 [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 8 & 9 Public School Trustee Candidate Laura Shutiak

October 9, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Laura Shutiak,  who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 8 &9 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

  I watched with interest the budget debate in June. Trustees were presented with a budget that had a $29 million deficit and the loss of 292 school-based positions. Only 5 trustees had questions, and most of them, only had one question. Then, when they “debated” the budget all but one trustee just blamed the province for not giving them enough money. There was no oversight. No one asking really tough questions. I felt that the board was falling down in their duty as governors [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 12 & 14 Public School Trustee Candidate Carol Bazinet

1
October 8, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Carol Bazinet, who will be running fro re-election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 12/14 this term.

 

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

CB: The important role that trustees play in public education is based on their representation of the public. Since all of the public can not be “at the table” for debate, trustees must do their best to represent as many views as possible. I really enjoy talking to members of the public about their education system and what their hopes and dreams are for their children. That is why I would want to be a trustee.

Can you share some of your past volunteer, [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 12 and 14 Public School Trustee Wendi Moore

October 7, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I  feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.
This interview is with Wendi Moore, who will be running for Public School Trustee in Ward 12/14 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

WM:   The reason I am running for Public School Trustee in Ward 12 and 14 is to get back to involving the “public” in public education. We have too many instances of the current Board looking out for their interests and not for the interests of the public (parents/students) at large. We have instances of designated schools not properly aligned with new communities where, for instance, many students will take a bus past a school on their way to their designated school. We have children in [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Calgary Ward 12 Alderman Campaign Sign Review

3
October 1, 2010 - By

Signs, Signs….everywhere there’s signs!

  With The 2010 Calgary municipal election in full swing, I thought I would take a look at some of the signs that the Ward 12 candidates are using this campaign.  Since September 20, the signs have popped up like uncontrolled weeds, which I find distracting while driving.  I understand that they are a huge component of local campaigns, but I find the mass placements a little tacky at times.

 I thought I would share what the Ward 12 candidates signs look like, as of September 27, 2010 when I took these pictures anyway…..

Al Browne     Al’s signs are big and bright.  Driving through the ward, I see hundreds of signs on private lawns.  They are professional and well made. Shane Keating  

Like Al Browne, Shane’s large signs are big and bright but with a “hokey, down home” kind of feel to them.  Shane’s little signs are hard to read with their green on white design, but they too are scattered throughout the ward, mostly in strategic public places. Roger Crowe    

This is probably the most creative campaign sign in Calgary right now.  I have [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι Categories: Alderman - Ward 12

Interview With Ward 12 Alderman Candidate Benjamin Sim

1
September 29, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views.

This interview is with Ben Sim, who will be running for Alderman in Ward 12 this term.

I am a resident of Ward 12 and a potential voter.  What do you think is the biggest issue facing the voters of this ward?

BS:   Biggest issue – Transportation.  Ward 12 has only one real outlet and that is Deerfoot Trail. Any problems on Deerfoot and residents have little options. I would work to have 24 st to Glenmore completed, complete 52 street to Glenmore. ( down to one lane in both directions and no overpass over rail line) and work with provincial government to improve the roadway after the bridge over the Bow River on Deerfoot Trail.  Reduces down to 2 lanes causing major traffic delays. Also we must get LRT to the S.E.

Many people feel that there is a lot of dysfunction [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: Alderman - Ward 12

My Thoughts On The VoteCalgary.ca Mayoralty Forum

6
September 28, 2010 - By

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the VoteCalgary.ca Mayoralty Forum held today at Stampede Park, along with fellow CalgaryPolitics.com blogger DJ Kelly.  The forum was attended by a packed house made up of representatives from Calgary’s building and development industry and it was a well run affair.

 The eight mayoralty candidates in attendance were:  Ric McIver, Joe Connelly, Jon Lord, Barb Higgins, Craig Burrows, Naheed Nenshi, Wayne Stewart and Bob Hawkesworth.  Perennial candidate ( and party crasher) Oscar Fech was also in attendance and while he tried to squeeze in on the forum, he was not part of the proceedings. ( Moderator Ken King explained that these eight candidates were invited as they completed a pre-forum questionnaire.)

 While the forum was well run and went by rather quickly, there really was no “earth shattering” quotes.  Most of the candidates stuck to their positions and the central theme centered around such buzzwords as “getting it right”, “creating a level playing field”, “streamlining the approval process” and “supporting consumers choice in having the options to purchase a single family, detached dwelling”.  There seemed to be a lot of generic answers given and all candidates tended to stay [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Interview With Ward 12 Alderman Candidate Rory Rotzoll

September 24, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views.

This interview is with Rory Rotzoll, who will be running for Alderman in Ward 12 this term. Rory actually moved into the house next to me a few months ago, but we have not had the chance to talk politics at all.  After taking a look at the responses below, I find it refreshing that someone finally answers some of these questions without sidestepping them!  These are pretty bold and honest responses in my opinion.

 

 

I am a resident of Ward 12 and a potential voter. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the voters of this ward?

RR;  The issues that face this Ward are as diverse and complex as the Ward itself. Primarily the people that I have talked to regard Transportation, Schools and Recreation of the utmost importance. specifically access or lack of access to these. Transportation (public and [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: Alderman - Ward 12

How Many Calgary Municipal Election Candidates Will Get The Nomination Day Blues?

2
September 6, 2010 - By

Anyone that is actively following the 2010 Calgary Municipal Election scene should be getting excited that the races for Alderman, Mayor and School Board Trustee are about to become official!  With nomination day fast approaching, the race is also on for some of the candidates to get their paperwork in order in advance of the September 20, 2010 deadline. 

The 2010 election is expected to include the most candidates that Calgary has ever seen and some of the races are becoming more and more crowded every day, which is a good thing for local democracy.  While I believe that everyone has a democratic right to run for office and respect those who put their names forward for this election, I wonder how many of these candidates will actually be on the ballots after nomination day.  I took a look at the City of Calgary website for more information on the nomination requirements, which I have summarized below:

Required Signatures

All candidates must be nominated by eligible electors. The required number of signatures are:

  • Mayor – 100 Signatures

 

  • Alderman – 100 Signatures

 

  • School Trustee – 25 Signatures

If running for Alderman, and/or Public or Separate School [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: Alderman - Ward 1, Alderman - Ward 10, Alderman - Ward 11, Alderman - Ward 12, Alderman - Ward 13, Alderman - Ward 14, Alderman - Ward 2, Alderman - Ward 3, Alderman - Ward 4, Alderman - Ward 5, Alderman - Ward 6, Alderman - Ward 7, Alderman - Ward 8, Alderman - Ward 9, Calendar, Mayor of Calgary, Political Theory, School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education, School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board

Interview With Calgary 2010 Ward 4 Aldermanic Candidate Sean Chu

1
September 2, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views.
This interview is with Sean Chu, who will be running for Alderman in Ward 4 this term. As noted in a previous post, I know Sean personally and have worked with him on a local board over the past few years. Ward 4 will be a highly contested race and the number of candidates running seems to expand each day!

1) Some of your opponents will make a big issue of the fact that you do not live in the ward. How do you respond to these concerns?

SC: I recognize that this would be an issue when I decided to run for Ward 4, but with my roots, and connections all tied to Ward 4, I felt right putting my name forward for the October election.
When I came to Calgary decades ago, Ward 4 was my first home. [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Alderman - Ward 4

The CalgaryPolitics.com Charity Bowling Event Was A Blast!

September 1, 2010 - By

Thanks again to everyone that supported the CalgaryPolitics.com Charity Bowling Event that we hosted on Monday August 30! The event was completely sold out and we had over 150 people in attendance, including over 20 candidates in the upcoming Calgary Municipal Election!

Everyone seemed to have a great time and we raised $2800 for Brown Bagging For Calgary’s Kids Society, which is pretty amazing! This amount will supply nearly 2800 lunches for needy school kids in the Calgary area!

Some of the candidates in attendance were:

Richard Dur Ernest McCrutcheon ( 2 Lanes) Shane Keating ( 2 Lanes) Jane Morgan

Al Browne Sean Chu Ric Lockhart Malik Amery Kevin Taylor

Chris Harper Roger Crowe Gian-Carlo Carra Shawn Kao ( the Get Kao Girls!)

Zak Pashak Andrew Rodych Judi Vandenbrink Josh Traptow Rory Rotzoll

Robert Guizzo

From the Mayoralty race, we had Craig Burrows and Paul Hughes in attendance. Ric McIver had donated a lane sponsorship for the event, but was unable to attend.

We also had some support from the business community, with Carma Developers, BiFrost Development, Canada Brokerlink Inc. and Principia Communications sponsoring the charity event!

And finally a big thanks to the media personalities that [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Uncategorized

Video Interview With Calgary 2010 Ward 12 Alderman Candidate Al Browne

3
August 24, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views.

This interview is with Al Browne, who will be running for Alderman in Ward 12 this term.  I decided to shake it up a little and do a video interview! 

I had the opportunity to do this interview with Al this week and talk to him about some of his views.  I sit on a local board with Al, but have not had the opportunity to get to know him well.  Looking at his resume/CV, I was amazed at the depth of his community volunteer work and business background.  Al’s philthanthropy is legendary and I am impressed when business people give back to their communities. 

 Taking a look at Al’s website, http://www.albrowne.ca/, I noticed he received a glowing endorsement from Calgary SE MP, The Honourable Jason Kenney!  This endorsement is pretty powerful as it is usually rare for a candidate to received such [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: Alderman - Ward 12