Author Archive

To Calgarians with love…

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October 17, 2010 - By

Before the polls close tomorrow, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who allowed me to have a voice during this election. My interest in the race started after I read “Yes We Did.” I was inspired and fascinated by the communication and marketing strategies of Obama campaign. They seemed to effortlessly blend innovation with simplicity when it came to crafting and delivering their messages.

From the beginning and especially when Calgarypolitics.com asked me to join the crew, I made it clear that I was writing from a public relations lens that was infused with a very dry sense of humour. Slightly embarrassed, I quietly admitted that I actually didn’t know a lot about politics. And that was point. I knew I wasn’t alone, and I thought if I shared my journey and restless thoughts that it might encourage other young voters to hit the polls.

So regardless of tomorrow’s results: thanks to each you who encouraged and debated me along the way. It’s because of your no-holds-bar conversations that I was able to learn, understand different viewpoints, and make a choice that I can stand behind. Oddly, it’s a choice that I wouldn’t even have considered a [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary, Shameless Self Promotion

Take that and rewind it back – Higgins vs. McCourt – The PR factor

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October 14, 2010 - By

It’s the talk of the town today – Barb Higgins vs. Mike McCourt. Rather than get into the political semantics of this discussion, I’m going to do what I always do and examine this encounter from a PR perspective. A couple of months ago, I was in a discussion with a lady who’s a client of Shawne Duperon (North American’s Network, Media, and Gossip expert – who’s in Calgary next month btw). She said something that will probably stay with me for the rest of my career because before that moment, I too would have geared my client up for any media opportunity that came our way. She shared Duperon’s position on doing an interview with a program similar to 60-minutes. Paraphrasing it went something like this, “I would never – in a million years – let my client appear on that show. Yes, they reach a lot of people but you know their angle is to be out for blood.”

In the words of Barb Higgins, “with all due respect” Mike McCourt could easily fall into this journalistic category as well. His segments are often a reach up the criticism tree. If he’s calling my office, I [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary, Uncategorized

I shaved my legs for this? Ward 11 Forum

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October 13, 2010 - By

If it wasn’t for a commitment to Calgarypolitics.com, I definitely wouldn’t be at the Ward 11 forum. The season finale of Teen Mom is on tonight for goodness sake and all I’ve had time to eat today is half an apple and a grande Starbucks. So ya… I’m a little cranky. This better be good.

At one point, I was really looking forward to tonight. I won the small victory of confirming the Ward I lived in. Now, was the next step of getting to know the candidates a bit better. I know absolutely nothing, actually. I am a clean slate. My vote is waiting to be won.

When I finally find the theatre on the MRU campus, I’m greeted by a lady running for school trustee. She asks me if I support public or separate. “I don’t know,” I answered. “Well, what did you indicate on your taxes?” she asks, assuming that I own. “I didn’t know then either; I don’t have kids,” I blurted out. Luckily, she lets me off the hook with a flyer and encourages me to call her if I have questions.

Well, I have lots of questions – she just caught me off guard. [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Alderman - Ward 11

Ask and you shall receive

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October 6, 2010 - By

During my last blog post, I was still scratching my head about what Ward I live in. Then I saw on the news that they ask you at the polling station. Gosh! Now the pressure is really on. I don’t want to look like an idiot. After all, just when I thought I knew what Ward I lived in, I got promotional pieces from candidates in Wards 6, 8, and 11. One was a message in my community newsletter (which ended up being from a candidate not running in the Ward I actually live in), so that really threw me for a loop. No wonder voters are confused! So, I checked a Ward map and I am right on a boundary. Sigh…

But fear not, the City of Calgary distributed a very comprehensive voter’s guide this week. And if that’s not enough or you’re part of the technical movement, you have the option of downloading a free app from http://ow.ly/2Ppcw

And, if you are still undecided about who to vote for or where to cast your ballot, the Calgary Herald really stepped up to the plate with a one-pager on the election. Find Ward contenders, mayoral candidate platforms, and [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

The Crown of Complacency

October 4, 2010 - By

We’re officially two weeks from casting our ballots for one of the most important civic elections in Calgary’s history and I’ve dropped the ball. Blog posts have been sparse, emails avoided, and looking into what Ward I live in or where I go to vote has been ruled by procrastination. To be fair: I’ve been super busy and really sick. Plus, I don’t think the candidates are doing enough outside of traditional campaign tactics to get my attention. I have a very busy 9-9 gig and a reality tv schedule to keep up with. Typical.

I just, like so many voters, wrote off weeks of not getting proactively informed with excuses. The reality is: that’s life. Many of us are in the same boat. If you don’t count the cliché saying of “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain” water cooler talk, there’s no real public consequence to not paying attention or even getting out to vote. That’s if… we aren’t dealing with (I’ll say it again) one of the most important elections in Calgary’s history.
So what makes this election so special? Your vote so important? Oh… I don’t know. How about the fact that we are at [...]Read More

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

Bringing in the big guns

September 15, 2010 - By

With just over a month to go until election day and only a few days until nomination papers are filed, some candidates are pulling out all the stops – including a little star power.

Stockyards Salon was the venue for a political faceoff between mayoral candidate Craig Burrows and Hockey Night in Canada’s Kelly Hrudey. The conversation was prefaced with a disclaimer that these lifelong friends hadn’t discussed the questions beforehand. Automatically, my PR mind contested the statement. “Of course they discussed it,” I thought, “who in their right mind wouldn’t. This is an easy PR move.”

Well it wasn’t all glitz and glamour. After some traditional roasting and banter, Hrudey got down to business. He asked Burrows everything from why he was the best candidate for mayor to how his position has shifted over the years from hanging onto Enmax to now wanting to sell. As I raised my eyebrows, I thought, “Well played Mr. Hrudey.”

Although a little long winded at times, Burrows gave clear answers. He even held his promises accountable to a timeline by stating Calgary would have new ice rinks and funding towards fitness and leisure centres within the next 12 – 36 months. He [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

How the tables have turned

September 11, 2010 - By

With less than 40 days to go to Calgary’s civic election, the pressure in many campaign camps is rising. As my attention span waivers thanks to cliché or vague promises, it occurs to me that we are actually in a huge position of power as voters. Think of the 2010 election as an interview. Instead of sitting back and waiting to hear what the candidates have to offer, why aren’t we as voters making our expectations more clear? We are, after all, the interview panel. Our votes will count towards making someone the successful candidate.

Most of us have had to interview for a job at one time or another. So, I got to thinking what those experiences were like. For starters, we got to the interview stage by meeting certain requirements. Then, we had to back up that experience by sharing past accomplishments and a strategy for how we would deliver in the new position. Practically speaking, the election process occurs the same way for me.

What I would like to see for Calgary is simple:

Property tax freeze: these are slated to go up drastically over the next few years. I think council has proven in the last [...]Read More

Categories: Calgary Issues, Political Theory

Return to Sender

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September 3, 2010 - By

Each day, I come home to an earless black cat (yes, earless) and a mailbox full of bills and junk mail. But yesterday, amongst the clutter, I noticed a direct mail piece from candidate Naheed Nenshi. First reaction: “that must have been expensive.” Since I don’t get cell phone reception in the elevator (thanks Telus), I gave the Nenshi marketing piece a read. Fast Forward to this morning and I can’t tell you what was actually on the full-colour, double-sided postcard. What I do remember is skimming an article the other day about campaign disclosures.

Fast Forward Weekly reported Nenshi promised on May 27 to “immediately unveil his donors on a weekly basis” (see full article). Here we are three months later and Nenshi is now saying September 20, 2010 is the big day based on advice from his “volunteer lawyers.” Yup… those are the exact qualities I’m looking for in a mayor. Promise one thing, deliver on another.

Anyway, you can bet come September 20, I will be looking for the generous donor or donors who contributed to a direct mail strategy that cost at least a healthy five figures. After chatting to some friends, at [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary, Political Theory

Welcome to the big leagues

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August 30, 2010 - By

It’s time to put my money where my mouth is. Admittedly, it’s a bit nerve-wracking being coaxed into a spotlight where every word and idea is subject to merciless scrutiny. But, those are the same circumstances that gave me a voice in the first place. Frustrated by packaged campaign speeches and slogans, I took to the web and lost my blogging virginity.

Relying on my public relations experience, my objective was to breakdown the meaningless phrases of “accountability,” “transparency,” and “fiscal responsibility.” What does that all really mean anyway? All I want to know is: what are you going to deliver, when can I expect it, and how much is it going to cost?

I got to thinking about why I suddenly cared. It occurred to me that Calgary is at a real turning point and with that comes opportunity. It mirrored my life and what brought me to this city in the first place. Like most, I came to make something of myself. And like most, for the past few years, I’ve had my head in the sand, working 60 – 80 hour weeks. When I have a moment to breathe, you can bet that I’m not looking up [...]Read More

Categories: Alderman - Ward 11, Political Theory