Posts Tagged ‘Ric McIver’

Nenshi + Hawkesworth = stronger McIver

5
May 27, 2010 - By

Today Naheed Nenshi has announced he will be running for mayor. On Monday we can expect a similar announcement from Bob Hawkesworth. The big winner from these announcements? Ric McIver.

As recently as yesterday, things were not looking great for Mr. McIver’s chances of becoming Calgary’s next mayor. As each mayoral candidate announced (Joe Connelly, Jon Lord, Craig Burrows) observers could see small parts of McIver’s assumed lead chipping away. Once Kent Hehr announced, enough had been chipped away that we were looking at a very real two way fight between McIver and Hehr.

With Nenshi and Hawkesworth entering the race, it’s fair to assume Mr. Hehr is now the one experiencing the chipping away of potential voters from his target group. It’s my guess that when it all plays out, enough will have been chipped away to return Mr. McIver to a healthy leading position once again.

What are your thoughts?

Cross posted from djkelly.ca

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

Mayoral site mimicking another one

1
May 21, 2010 - By

This blogger knows a thing or two about mimicking websites, but apparently candidates are doing it as well! While reading through hilarious comments on the Calgary Herald, one reader pointed out that Craig Burrows’ mayoral volunteer website is really the same thing as Ric McIver’s mayoral volunteer website. I don’t know if this is to trick people, someone was lazy, great minds think a like, or even a parody, but it’s an early stumble for Craig Burrows. Personally, I don’t really care who did what, I’m more concerned about who did what for the city.

This is Craig Burrows’ volunteer website
This is Ric McIver’s volunteer website

Does this small gaff translate into bigger things? Maybe. I know I’m going to be sitting back this long weekend, while some are going to have a very long weekend.

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Interview With Calgary Ward 12 Alderman Candidate, Roger Crowe

May 10, 2010 - By

This is a second 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 Roger Crowe, an active community volunteer that will be running for Alderman in Ward 12 ( Ric McIver’s old riding) 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?

 
RC: After meeting with and speaking to many residents of Ward 12, there are some obvious issues that come to mind. I have summarized these issues on my website at http://site.rogercrowe.ca/


One of the most glaring needs that inevitably comes up in any conversation is the inadequacy related to transportation; roadways, traffic and public transit. I have lived here in Ward 12 for almost 40 years now and I, and approximately 80,000 other members of the ward have to deal with these issues every day. [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Alderman - Ward 12

Why Hehr Shouldn’t Step Down

8
May 7, 2010 - By

Nation, it hasn’t been 72 hours since Kent Hehr announced he was going to be running for Mayor of the City of Calgary, and already the naysayers are coming out to decry the move as an effort to “double-dip”, at the taxpayers’ expense.

“Hehr should resign his seat as an MLA to run!” goes the loudest cry. Slightly quieter, hoping to be taken more seriously as a “moderated” opinion, is the insistence that “he should at least take a leave of absence!”.

Here’s the thing…

Kent Hehr shouldn’t do EITHER of those things at this point – and very probably, neither at ANY point.

Let’s imagine Kenny Ware, cab driver. Kenny, like most of the cab drivers I know, thinks he’s got a lot of solutions for what ails our society. So he decides to run for Alderman in the upcoming municipal election. Kenny’s boss calls him into the office the next day and says… what? “I want you to quit working for us if you’re looking for another job”? Or, even better, “I want you to keep working for us, but we won’t pay you as long as you’re looking for other work”?

Are you KIDDING me?

Kenny would [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Wanted: A Few Good Women

10
May 6, 2010 - By

Nation, I’ve never been a fan of “gender balance for its own sake” when it comes to the workplace. I don’t believe that an employer should be forced to give a position to a less qualified candidate simply because the office hasn’t met its “50/50″ state of complete gender balance. For that reason, I’ve also not been a big fan of the never-ending caterwauling that accompanies every cabinet announcement in the history of EVER when the same old suspects rise up to decry the “institutional sexism” that exists in our governments – Prime Minister, Presidents and Premiers should be appointing the most qualified people to fill the challenging roles of cabinet positions, not appointing empty suits in an effort to keep their constituents satisfied that there are enough women, men, people of colour, people with mobility challenges, or people of Ukrainian descent in a cabinet at any given time in relation to the percentage of population.

ALL that said, though, I think it’s a real problem that we have such a hard time attracting female leaders of our community into the political realm, to put their names on a ballot.

Now, there are literally HUNDREDS of ways in which women [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Political Theory

Waiter! Waiter! There’s a Hehr in my mayoral race!

7
May 5, 2010 - By

Well, Nation, nobody suggested that this year’s Calgary mayoral race was going to be boring…

Kent Hehr, Liberal MLA for Calgary-Buffalo, announced today his intention to seek the office of Mayor for the City of Calgary.

This seems a little unexpected to many – I have to admit that I was made aware of the “98% certainty” of Hehr’s decision last week, however even then I was totally unaware of the immediacy of that decision being announced. This sounds like Kent was trying to get his announcement out before someone else who appeals to the same demographic – Dave Taylor, perhaps? – could get the drop on him and steal his thunder.

One of Hehr’s primary arguments in favour of his candidacy is his perception that choosing a mayor who has been on the current council would result in a great deal of baggage coming with the new mayor. Certainly, the sniping that we’ve seen among council members isn’t likely to change with one of the current bunch just switching chairs and getting to hold the gavel – but, we all know that the new mayor isn’t going to be the only change on council… not by a LONG [...]Read More

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

It’s Official! Ric McIver is Running for Mayor of Calgary in 2010

2
April 22, 2010 - By

                                              It’s official!  Ward 12 Alderman Ric McIver has officially announced his candidacy for Calgary’s Mayor in the 2010 Election.  This announcement has been long anticipated by many ( including myself) and finally confirms his intentions to what what is considered by some the ‘most open’ secret in Calgary municipal politics.

   I was at Ric’s Block Party event last night and I must say it was quite impressive.  The media confirmed the event had over 900 people attend and from a quick scan of the room, it was a very diverse cross section of Calgary.  At a $150 a ticket, these events usually draw the business suit/tie crowd so I was amazed that there were people of all ages and backgrounds attending.  It is likely a testament to Ric’s popularity in this City. 

Ric gave an passionate speech about his vision for Calgary’s future, which I think was key.  He answered Bronco’s criticism of his “Dr.No” moniker and made repeat mention that he wants this city to be a Calgary for Everyone.  He also called for the inclusion of a written hansard in the City Hall meetings so there is a written record for all see, which I think is a [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Ward 12 Alderman Ric McIver announces bid for mayor

April 22, 2010 - By

After almost a year of speculation, Ward 12 Alderman Ric McIver announced his bid for mayor, making him the fourth person to officially announce. Of course the price tag to be the first to know was not cheap. It was a $150 ticket to get into the block party. Or you could have found out a few minutes later on the Internet.

Ric McIver’s been Ward 12′s alderman since 2001, and before that he had operated a distribution company and a construction company. While the list is small, he’s capitalized on using the mainstream media to his advantage to become the perceived front runner in this race. Most people know him through the media, and he’s taken the fiscal conservative approach in the budgeting of our city system. He’s earned the notorious nickname of “Dr. No” by the mainstream media for his overwhelming number of objections to many readings and bylaws.

Perhaps the biggest thing to shock Calgarians because “we’re really into local politics” is that if Ric McIver wins, he’ll be one of the few conservative mayors that Calgary has had. I mean conservative as in association at one [...]Read More

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

Diane Colley-Urquhart making her mayoral move?

4
April 19, 2010 - By

One of the more fun aspects of having a blog is the number of “tips” I get sent by readers and marketers. Usually there is very little newsworthy about them, other times they might be newsworthy but the tipster provides little in the way to back up their claim. In both cases I usually ignore the tip for those reasons. However this tip is different.

This past weekend I recieved a tip from two different sources that Diane Colley-Urquart, current alderman for ward 13, has been buying advertising space for a run at the mayor seat.

It strikes me this isn’t the kind of thing an overly enthusiastic volunteer would do without the candidate’s go ahead on a campaign, so I’m inclined to believe it to be a sign she’s in.

Neither tipster could provide evidence without outing themselves as a tipster and so I have none. But I know both of these folks and trust them, so I’ve decided to report it. Take if for what it is: completely unsubstantiated or verified by yours truly.

Personally I have my fingers crossed it’s true. We need more women running for council! It will be nice to see her make a [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Ald. Connelly to make “an important announcement”

4
April 13, 2010 - By

It’s been the City’s worst kept secret that Ald. Ric McIver will be announcing his intentions to run for Mayor at “Ric’s Block Party” on April 21 (5pm to 8pm, get your tickets here.) But what about Ald. Joe Connelly?

Ald. Connelly has been saying for a little bit that he would make an announcement between now and May. An email sent out today has set the date for this announcement however: tomorrow. Expect him to be trying to scoop Ald. McIver by getting out of the Mayoralty gate first (even if only by a week).

Here’s the full text of the invitation. Be there or be… running for alderman (? I suppose).

Media and Guest Invitation for Announcement by

Alderman Joe Connelly, Ward Six
City of Calgary

Calgary, Alberta Alderman Joe Connelly, Ward Six, City of Calgary will be making an important announcement on Wednesday, April 14 in his Ward at the Strathcona Community Association.

Media and guests are invited to attend as follows:
Date:  Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Time: Meet and Greet 3:00 pm
Announcement 3:30 pm

Location: Strathcona Community Association
277 Strathcona Drive SW,  Calgary, AB
Phone number of the Community Association:  403.249.1138
Free [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Newcomers in Wards 4, 11, and 12

4
April 7, 2010 - By

Apparently there’s too much Starcraft and not enough hardcore civic election news, so here’s an update on just some of the newcomers into this free-for-all election.

Ward 4

Rumour has it that Sean Chu, who lost against Kent Hehr in Calgary-Buffalo, will take a stab at ward 4 this election. We’ll have to wait and see when the election approaches.

Will Sean Chu Run for Calgary Ward 4 Alderman? – Calgary Rants

Rumour also has it that George Chahal, who lost against Alderman Jim Stevenson in Ward 3, will also take a stab at ward 4. We definitely have two very strong contenders in this ward.

Who’s running for Calgary City Council in 2010? – DJ Kelly

Ward 11

Ernest McCutcheon – I had an Ernest McCutcheon follow me in Twitter today, and he’s indicated on his account that he’ll challenge Brian Pincott in ward 11. He’s been a project manager, sales manager, trained as an EMR, and an ordinary member of the Royal Canadian Legion. That’s all I got from his website, so hopefully we’ll get more information. In keeping with the Pokemon thing [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι ι ι ι ι Categories: Alderman - Ward 11, Alderman - Ward 12, Alderman - Ward 4

Who’s running for Calgary City Council in 2010?

2
April 4, 2010 - By

There sure are a lot of names coming out of the proverbial woodwork right about now saying they are going to run for Calgary City Council. Now it’s a long way off from nomination day on September 20, and everyone can change their minds still, but it’s already getting hard to figure out who is who, and who’s saying their running and who is not.

So with this in mind I decided to put together a list of everything I’ve seen reported, heard personally and have heard rumour of. I’ll try to update this list regularly as we hear or see other things. If you know of anyone missing, please just let me know and I’ll add it!

PS – Try not to read too much into the difference between “rumoured” and “declared”. At this point it doesn’t really mean much. It’s more a degree of veracity in their statements up till now that made me choose one over the other. Some however, are just rumours.

Mayor
Dave Bronconnier – Incumbent (not running)
Craig Burrows (rumoured)
Joe Connelly (rumoured)
Bob Hawkesworth (rumoured)
Kent Hehr (rumoured)
Paul Hughes (declared)
Alnoor Kassam (declared)
Jon Lord (declared)
[...]Read More

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April: The month where Calgarians know if Nenshi or McIver is running

1
March 30, 2010 - By

They have been hinting at it, but it looks like some of the bigger players will finally confirm their candidacy (or surprise us) for the mayoral race. Actually, they better or else this blog post will be pointless. So just how do we know that April will be the month? Let’s take a look:

Ric McIver

The Metro reported that by the time Ric McIver is finished with his block party on April 21, everyone will know his intentions. Actually, it’s been about a year or more, and you can track it all the way to the end of 2008 when Calgarians went crazy over the 22% property tax increase over 3 years. Many observers used the pedestrian bridge debate as a sign of things to come between Bronconnier and McIver. Since the incumbent decided to not seek re-election, it is safe to say that McIver is the front runner. He definitely has the plurality of votes, but definitely not all the votes. Here’s the official poster for his upcoming block party:

It’s a $150 if you want in on being the first to know live whether or not Ric McIver is [...]Read More

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

Shane Keating Enters Ward 12 Alderman Race

2
March 27, 2010 - By

With the anticipated announcement that current Ward 12 Alderman Ric McIver will be running for mayor, the race to replace Ric’s seat will be one of the most interesting races to watch in the October 2010 Calgary civic election.  There have been a few rumours about who will or will not run in Ward 12, but one gentleman has officially made his intentions known!

 I was pleasantly surprised when I ran into Shane Keating at a fundraiser yesterday and he handed me a business card that stated ” Shane Keating, Aspiring To Be Your Alderman“!  I actually sit with Shane on a local volunteer board ( South East Calgary Recreation Society- http://www.secrs.ca/ ) and had no idea that he was even considering this move.  While I do not know Shane well, I must say that he is a really friendly, hardworking man.

 Shane has launched a  campaign website at http://www.shanekeating.ca/ which outlines his community involvement and past work. 

 I fully expect that more names will be coming forward publicly once Ric McIver announces that he will be running for Mayor! As a resident of Ward 12, I am excited about this race and cannot wait to see who else throws their hat in the ring!  I can confirm that [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Alderman - Ward 12

2010 will be a year of new faces

March 21, 2010 - By

2010 is going to be a year of sweeping change at Calgary’s City Hall.

If you’ve been paying attention to the papers these past couple years you’ll know there is a deep seeded frustration among Calgarians with their current council. And with that frustration has come with the hope for something better. (Affectionately referred to as “hope-y change-y stuff” by Fox News commentator Sarah Palin.)

But will the public get the change they have cried for? To do this, half of council would need to change. Given Calgary City Council’s average turn over 2007 saw a “lot” of change when three incumbents were defeated and one retired. However four is a long way from a majority of new faces, and that is something that has not happened in a very long time. As a matter of fact, only five of the current 15 council members were not sitting in their same seat in 2001. That’s not much change over the last decade.

However 2010 may just be shaping up to the year it actually happened.

First Dave Bronconnier announced that he will not be seeking another term. Then two days ago Bob Hawkesworth, who first [...]Read More

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

Cormac on the Mayoral Race

March 12, 2010 - By

Just a quickie, Nation – I was cruising the 660News site, and came across Cormac MacSweeney’s blog, where he takes a look at some of the potential mayoral candidates. It’s worth checking out!

On an aside, it’s nice to see a piece from the MSM that talks about candidates other than Alnoor, Ric and (possibly) Naheed. Those “media” types might be clueing in to the notion that they’re going to have to work really hard to be able to call themselves the “2nd Best Political Team in the Blogosphere” this election cycle. ;)

Dreaming of Maui…

-E.S.

Tags: ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

From the Savage Inbox…

March 7, 2010 - By

Draft Ric McIver – for Mayor March 2010

Dear Calgarian,

You have probably already heard Dave Bronconnier is not running for mayor in this October’s election.

If you are like me, you hope our next mayor will bring a dose of common sense back to a city council that has drifted further and further out of touch.

Remember, this is the council that made our parking fees the highest in North America, second only to New York City! They even named this strategy “planned congestion.”

A council that ordered yet another study of our failed snow policy instead of making changes now so we are prepared for next winter.

A council that refused to cancel or scale back a $25 million designer footbridge in the middle of the worst economic downturn in decades.

Someone needs to stop this nonsense. That someone is Ric McIver.

As an Alderman for South East Calgary for the last nine years, Ric has fought hard to steer council in the right direction. Unfortunately it’s been an uphill battle.

That can all change on October 18th. That’s when you and I get to judge the performance of City Hall. That’s when you and I get to [...]Read More

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

Calgary’s Mayoral Race 2010: What I don’t want to see

March 2, 2010 - By

As everyone who pays any attention whatsoever to politics in this city will already be aware, Calgary’s 3-term mayor, Dave Bronconnier, announced last week that he will not be running for re-election this fall. This makes for the first “open” mayoral election here since 2001.

With candidates just starting to announce their intentions, I don’t have anything resembling a preference yet. I do have some notions of what I don’t want to see, though.

Misrepresentation in the media

In 2001, somewhere between a dozen and twenty candidates were on the ballot for mayor (I really cant remember the actual number and couldn’t easily find a reference online). You wouldn’t have known that, though, if your only source of info on the election was the mainstream (primarily corporate) media. They decided that there were only four “legitimate” candidates who merited any substantive coverage. The media gave effectively no attention to any of the other candidates.

I consider that to be viciously anti-democratic. All citizens should have an equal opportunity to learn about every candidate, regardless of how “serious” or “fringe” they may be considered to be by those in power (which includes the media who are currently very much part [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary, Political Theory

Bye Bye Bronco!

February 23, 2010 - By


Great news!

Bronco Not Running For Mayor in 2010! Ya-Hoo!

You cant see me right now, but if I had a live webcam feed you would see some serious ass shaking! I am literally dancing around the house like a mad man! Why? Because the the city I love finally has a chance to get back on the right track! With the Bronco’s announcement today that he will not run again, we finally have the potential to get some real leadership at City Hall!

This news is no surprise to me! I called this in a post on 12/1/2009 Called “Bronco’s Running Scared” although I thought he would wait until the last minute to bow out. Anyone that reads this site understands that I am not a huge fan. For some past Bronco jabs, check out:

The question floating around today is Who Will Run? I wondered this same question in May 2009 on this post: Who Will Be Calgary’s Mayor in 2010? And apart from the addition of Druh Farrel, Craig Chandler and [...]Read More

Tags: ι ι ι ι Categories: Mayor of Calgary

Another Slow News Day in Calgary…

February 23, 2010 - By

… although, I’m happy to say that I’ve found a new place in town to get an absolutely fantastic straight razor shave – for those who have never had one, it’s absolutely GOT to go on your Bucket List.

Well, that’s all to report today. Talk to you lat -

Sorry, wait a second – text message coming in.

-

-

Oh.

REALLY?

Wow. Didn’t see that one coming.

Days into his preamble for the next “Dave versus the Province” battle – which he seemingly always WINS – David Thomas Bronconnier, 35th Mayor of the City of Calgary, has announced he will not be seeking re-election this October.

Which means we are in for an absolute GONG SHOW of speculation in the next few weeks and months as to whom, exactly, will be running for the empty chair, with the popular incumbent and his million-dollar war chest out of the way.

The first and most common question is going to be “WHY isn’t Dave running again?” – to which the only answer I can provide is: Heaven only knows. As I mentioned, Dave is going into a very public shouting match with the province over broken promises, and despite the [...]Read More

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

Bronconnier will not run again; so who will?

February 23, 2010 - By

So Dave Bronconnier has just announced he will be stepping down from the mayor’s chair and handing over his oversized mayoral necklace (does that thing have an actual name?) come October 2010. He will not be running for re-election.

While it is possible we could spend some time reflecting on our 35th mayor’s tenure – after all he’s been mayor of Calgary since 2001, having been elected three times, and before that was alderman of ward 6 for nine years as well – the real fun lays in what this means for the candidates that have been mulling about the starting line of the mayoral race for the past year or so

Bronco’s announcement today almost guarentees Joe Connolly and Ric McIver will run for mayor, but who else? Will Alnoor Kassam now return for another kick at the can? Could we see Diane Colley-Urqhart or Druh Farrell step up in the coming months?

Personally, my guess is you’ll see one one Brian Pincott, who is currently ward 11 alderman, or frequent civic commenter Naheed Nenshi step up and take a serious run.

Either way, things just got interesting. Tie on your sneakers, because the race is about to begin.

[...]Read More

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