Respect

• October 15, 2010

It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot. I’m not sure the meaning is fully comprehended. It’s a concept I’ve tried very hard to understand over the past 10 years, and I’m certain I will spend the rest of my life trying to grasp it fully and to teach what I know to my children. Given all that I am, I want to be known for the cornerstones from which I’ve tried to build my life. Read More

Top 10 things I don't get about Calgary's municipal election

• October 13, 2010

10. How a candidate could come into this election sitting on a warchest of donations gathered under different rules. 9. How aldermen who created the election sign law couldn’t abide by it. Alternatively, how candidates who hope to become aldermen don’t seem to understand it. 8. How you could put yourself up as a “fringe” candidate in order to express a differing point of view and not show up at the forums to express yourself. Read More

Welcome to Ward Why Bother Trying?

• October 7, 2010

Tuesday night I went to Civic Camp’s Aldermanic Forum for Ward 10. Now, I had a board meeting ahead of time, so I knew I was going to be about an hour late and I wasn’t happy about it because I really wanted to hear what was said. I arrived to people milling about. I was worried I just missed everything and the candidates were chatting with the people who had come out to attend. Read More

Show Me the Plan Ahead

• October 5, 2010

There’s something about talking policy that lies underneath the surface of election talk. You may have the singular best ideas out there, but if you cannot get people to row for you and draw your oars you will be dead in the water. In modern sound-bite politics you can be entirely void of ideas and just toss the sound of change in the wind and sail on to victory. I’m sure there’s a hundred metaphors out there that aren’t nautical and thereby more appropriate to a prairie town. Read More

Policy? Policy. Policy!

• September 30, 2010

Interesting exchange with Joe Connelly this afternoon. He posted: #yycvoteenough with the policy, lets start to let calgarians decide what their policy should be. priorities too Time to take back your city My first thought is, “Direct the conversation away from your weak suit.“ Have no policy, then don’t talk about it. But upon reflection the conversation is more nuanced. My reply: .@joeformayor More policy. NOW! Stop pretending to listen during the elections and then ignore us in office. Read More

Aww, do we have to vote for school board trustees, too?

• September 28, 2010

So very much to talk about today. The day has taken some lovely twists and turns. First off, I don’t want to talk about what I most want to talk about. It’s stupid, it doesn’t matter, I dearly want to chip in my $0.02, but my two cents on a two bit question isn’t worth diddly squat. And if you don’t immediately know what I’m talking about, great, you didn’t miss a damned thing! Read More

Woe betide the weary Calgarian

• September 26, 2010

I spotted Michael Platt’s column this morning thanks to Twitter. I argue with his premise. This is the most exciting election I’ve been involved with in my entire life. I’m much more in tune and energized about this election than any other. I’m volunteering and active and sharing my opinions because this time, I think it matters more than ever. No, Mr. Platt, it didn’t have to be this way. Read More

Door knocking. It's not just for politicians anymore.

• September 23, 2010

So I went up to Naheedquarters tonight figuring I’d be delivering signs or something like I did last night. There’s going to be a big push to get signs out Saturday. I’ve got my kids and Bow Valley Music Club so I’m just not going to be able to swing it this weekend. Fair enough, I was planning to spend my evening tonight doing something for Team Nenshi and since I was there… So Stephen asks, “Wanna go door knocking? Read More

CBC Eyeopener Mayoral candidate debate #3: How to bring Council Together

• September 23, 2010

You guys know I can normally go months between writing entries, right? This was well and truly the most important debate the Eyeopener has done for me yet. This is my single most important election issue. Period. A broken city council is the root of so many of the problems we’re seeing in this election. This is the big one right here! If we had a working city council, they wouldn’t have dallied to make a decision one way or the other about the airport tunnel. Read More

Twibates and Promises Kept

• September 22, 2010

Aldermanic Twibate tonight, and I’m so excited! I was in and out, and mostly did not attend, due to a very important prior commitment I made. But I kept my eyes on it as much as possible. From my whistle tour evaluation, I’m very pleased with how it turned out. I’d like to have seen more participants, of course, but I have a really good feeling for the candidates at large. Read More