Tag: ward 4

Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 8 Interview with John Mar

John Mar is a born and raised Calgarian. His family has mining operations in Northern Ontario, and he was an RCMP. He was also the former president of the Scarborough Community Association. He is the current alderman for Ward 8 (youngest on council), and sits on a variety of committees including the Calgary Police Commission and is involved in the 10 year plan to end homelessness. 
Why are running for alderman in Ward 8?
Mar is running for re-election and believes that there is still work to be done to finish some of the projects that he is involved in. That includes the West LRT and helping Meals on Wheels. 
“I want to see these continued and finalized,” says Mar. 
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
“I think you’re going to see huge technological changes that we cannot fathom,” Mar told CalgaryPolitics.com.
Mar also adds that there will be new ways we think about transportation. We will be a major player on the world stage, and we may no longer be a resource based economy anymore.
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
Mar is unsure of what the impact and presence social media has on the election. His intuition tells him that he does not believe social media is as effective right now.
“I’ll let you know on the 19th of October,” Mar suggests.
Multimedia on the other hand can maximize voters because things like radio and print are still mainstream, according to Mar. That differs from Twitter, where the total number of users in Calgary compared to the total population is like a “drop in the bucket.”
What was one thing the city did right this term?
“I think the city did more than one thing right this term,” Mar suggests.
However, Mar believes the policing strategy that council took was by far the most significant achievement this council could make.
“It put boots on the streets, and we got the funding and training for 336 new police officers,” Mar remarks. “There are 78 new police officers in Ward 8.”
Mar believes that policing is the most significant thing a city could do, and is the number one responsibility of any government.
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
Mar believes his platform is inclusive, and Aboriginals are just like any other citizens. 
“To me, you’re a Calgarian, an Albertan, a Canadian,” says Mar.
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
Mar talked about how a breach of the peace was an arrestable offense under the Criminal Code. As well, discretionary power is given to law enforcement agencies, and they are being used appropriately. 
Mar also cites the social contract that the public and government have with each other. Mar says you cannot just have anybody doing whatever they want if they want to live peacefully with everyone else.
For Mar, police officers are just using different technologies to solve crime, and CCTVs were never intended to be a deterrent, but rather as an eye witness. 
“I don’t think [the police] are going out of their way to target people,” says Mar. 
Is increased funding for police service justified even though Canada has seen a drop in crime?
Mar says while crime rates have fallen overall in Canada, Calgary still ranks low in terms of police to population ratio. 
“As a member of the Calgary Police Commission and a former RCMP officer, crime and safety continues to be a major priority for me and the people of Ward 8,” Mar told CalgaryPolitics.com.
He believes that despite what statistics may show, public safety should and will always the top priority of any government. 
Let’s say there was a potential for a drug clinic or halfway house being built in a community in Ward 8. How would you handle this and would you try to push it to another location?
While Mar says he does not have a problem with methadone clinics, the biggest concern is the planning rationale. Mar also says there are more social care agencies in ward 8 than anywhere else in the city. 
“We’ve very welcoming, but we have to make sure they’re properly located,” says Mar. 
Mar says he helped the Mustard Seed when it came down to certain land use applications, which then Alderman Madeline King was against. He said it was very controversial and got unanimous support from council after being elected to help the Mustard Seed. 
“Every decision is done on a case by case basis based on a planning rationale,” says Mar.
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Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 4 Interview with Sean Chu

Sean Chu immigrated to Canada in 1985 after three years of military service in Taiwan. He worked for his family’s pizza joint before becoming a police officer. He decided to be involved in politics after having children. He has received the Alberta Centennial Medal for Outstanding Community Service , and picked to be on the Premier’s Calgary Advisory Committee. 
Why are running for alderman in Ward 4?
Chu believes he can make a difference because it is his nature to help people out, and one way to do that is through city council. 
Chu has a variety of volunteer experience, and believes his connections to ward 4 will highlight his involvement. He says that his family and friends all still reside in ward 4 and he wants to give back to that community. 
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
“I envision the city to be five times its size,” says Chu. 
He also envisions a north-central LRT and better traffic flow. Chu cited an article that if traffic flow is improved by 10%, productivity goes up by 25%. He also sees a better bidding process for the city and that there will not be “the ‘f’ (fraud) word.”
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
Chu believes that the social media right now is helping solidify its own future.
“I think we are on the way there, but not today,” says Chu. “People still like face to face and door-knocking.”
Chu told CalgaryPoliitcs.com that 70-80% of his signs are on private property as a testament of the power of door-knocking. However, social media has an optimistic political future.
“We are going in the right direction,” says a hopeful Chu. “It’s a trend for the future.”
What was one thing the city did right this term?
Chu believes that city council did the right thing to try and sell and promote Calgary to other cities and overseas. He said you needed a leader to promote the city, and while many bash Bronconnier for going overseas, it was integral for our growth. 
“When you don’t have the little things, you can’t put things together,” says Chu of all the things the city needs to pursue to make it a better city. 
Should municipalities be granted constitutional powers?
“Once you have constitutional powers, if you have the wrong people in power, you might get taxed to death,” warned Chu.
Chu wants to find a way for the city to collect taxes, but a cap should be in place and no hidden taxes should be allowed.
Almost all candidates have preached the importance of transportation. Would you take the bus to work at least once a week if elected? If not, why would you not take it if you are recommending Calgarians should take it?
“When I was a policeman, I took the bus 90% of the time,” says Chu. “If I don’t have to rush from one place to another, I would rather take the bus.”
Chu told CalgaryPolitics.com that he enjoys bus rides while listening to music or reading a book. 
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
Chu does not have specifics on Aboriginal issues, but believes it is still an important one.
“It’s kind of hard because it’s not necessarily a city issue,” says Chu. 
Chu says he wants see programs with actual merit in order for him to consider it, and it would not matter what issue it may be. 
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
Chu believes in safety comes first when it boils down to issues like closed-circuit televisions or the public behavior bylaw. 
“It’s not just good for citizens, it’s also good for the homeless,” says Chu.
“As policemen, we have no time to pick on the homeless,” Chu suggested. “We are just like everyone else. We have compassion for them too.”
Chu describes how police officers went out of their way to get shoes for the homeless, and says that police are not trying to segregate any one population.
CCTVs act as witnesses and are useful in deterring crime, says Chu, and he believes it is a partial reason why crime rates have fallen in the down town area.
“If you didn’t commit a crime, you shouldn’t be afraid,” Chu told CalgaryPolitics.com.
This is cross-posted with CalgaryPolitics.com
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Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 4 Interview with Brad Northcott

Brad Northcott grew up in Huntington Hills and when to John A. MacDonald and John G. Diefenbaker schools before they were junior and senior highs respectively. He has raised all of his kids here and has decided to give back to the community as his kids now have all grown up. He graduated from SAIT as a journeyman plumber and now operates his own plumbing business. 
Why are running for alderman in Ward 4?
Northcott thought that issues such as pools and libraries needed to be addressed because these were concerns that may not get as much coverage in the media. He also thought that the airport tunnel issue was extremely important.
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
“It looks like we’ll have higher density in the established neighborhoods,” says Northcott. 
He also believes that the north-central LRT line will be an important issue in the future, and was concerned about the disruptions it may cause in the future for communities.
Northcott looks back and is amazed that ward 4 is now “the outer ring of inner communities.”
“Density will grow and pressure on infrastructure will grow,” remarks Northcott. “The building blocks need to be put into place now.”  
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
While Northcott thought the Internet was key to accessibility in terms of information, he still needs to see how social media will evolve.
“I’m not big on it. I don’t really utilize it,” says Northcott.
What was one thing the city did right this term?
Northcott told CalgaryPolitics.com that the city really benefited from the major roads and infrastructure that this past council put in. It was something “that had to be done.”
Should municipalities be granted constitutional powers?
“I’d like to learn more about the ability to have a firm grasp of funds,” says Northcott.
While Northcott said he would be open to explore the issue, his first instincts tell him that it might not be a good idea for municipalities across the country.
Almost all candidates have preached the importance of transportation. Would you take the bus to work at least once a week if elected? If not, why would you not take it if you are recommending Calgarians should take it?
Northcott is a tradesperson and usually requires a car to go all over the city, but he was open to the idea of taking transit to work.
“I am interested in trying the bus and appreciating transit,” says Northcott.
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
Northcott said he had nothing specific for any particular ethnic group. As a Metis, he believes everyone benefits from his platform and ideas.
“I am open to anything that will make things better,” says Northcott. 
He also says that he does appreciate issues about affordable housing and will work to find ways to benefit everyone.
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
“I like the security aspect of it. I don’t like the interference in the freedom of life,” suggests Northcott.
He says that the “erosional quality of life” and concerns in high density areas have made the subject matter an important one. Security devices are not meant to be spying and disturbing people who may sleep under a tree because their homeless according to Northcott.
He relates to a case where an individual was being disorderly at a golf course because he was intoxicated. In cases like that, a public behavior rules were fair and appropriate in dealing with individuals like that.
“There are boundaries. There have to be boundaries,” Northcott told CalgaryPolitics.com

This is cross-posted with CalgaryPolitics.com

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Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 4 Interview with Jon Wong

Jon Wong was born and raised in Calgary and in ward 4. He went to the University of Western Ontario and received a B.A. in political science and governmental affairs with honours. He currently works as a marketing and business director for a painting contractor. In his spare time, Jon is involved with coaching amateur sports at the club level and at all three levels of schooling. 
Why are running for alderman in Ward 4?
Wong wants to give back to the community that he was born and raised in.
“I commend all candidates for running. It’s not an easy thing to do,” says Wong.
However, Wong says that there has been a lack of focus and understanding about the community from candidates as his top concern is meeting community needs.
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
Wong hopes that Calgary will evolve to what Plan It set out the city to be. He also wants to see Calgary as “the best place in the world” to live in.
“We will have a self sustainable community, a vibrant economy, and the infrastructure is there for everyone,” says Wong.
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
“I still think that the traditional way of getting your name is still prominent in this election,” remarked Wong.
While Wong does not believe social media is on par with mainstream media, it does have a place to get his generation out there to vote and learn about the election.
“A lot of them associate with social media, just not politics,” Wong pointed out. 
What was one thing the city did right this term?
Wong saw that over a large period of time, city council’s relationship with the provincial government was something that council was improving on. 
He pointed out that a significant portion of our funding does come from the province, so developing that key partnership with Edmonton is important.
Wong also saw city council moving in the right direction in promoting the city. 
Should municipalities be granted constitutional powers?
Wong did not believe that constitutional powers should be allotted to cities. He pointed out that between the federal and provincial governments, a lot of inefficiencies and arguments occur because of this federal system we put into place.
“You’re always going to have some sort of overlap,” says Wong. “Things aren’t going to get done.”
Almost all candidates have preached the importance of transportation. Would you take the bus to work at least once a week if elected? If not, why would you not take it if you are recommending Calgarians should take it?
Wong believes Calgary has a great transportation system and that taking the bus as an elected official would be setting an example for other Calgarians. 
“I think I would. Taking the bus would give me an awesome way to connect with the residents of Ward 4,” Wong told CalgaryPolitics.com. 
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
“They have the same issues as any other group. When I look at our ward, I look at them as fellow communities of the ward,” says Wong.
Wong said his platform contains issues that affect everyone regardless if they are Chinese or Aboriginal. He said that all groups have a voice, and they have to be heard.
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
Wong says there is a fine line between juggling public safety and removing the sense of big brother watching over citizens. Wong points out that closed circuit televisions do help police and protect the public, and that it depends on statistics about which communities have higher crime rates. 
On the public behavior bylaw, Wong found merit in it. He relates to efforts in Toronto to eliminate aggressive panhandlers because these individuals were disrupting everyone’s daily lives and ability to do so without disorderly interference.
Wong was careful to also point out that implementation had to follow what the intent of the law was originally.
“If there are complaints that it’s unfairly targeting the wrong people, we as city council should sit down and review it,” says Wong. 
This is cross-posted with CalgaryPolitics.com
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Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 4 Interview with Carol Poon

Carol Poon was born in Calgary at the Holy Cross Hospital. She lived in Chinatown until she was 7 and moved to North Haven, which was then still on the edge of town. She graduate from James Fowler and went on to become an X-ray technician. She began a message therapy career in 1990 after attending Mount Royal College. She is married with two children and still lives in North Haven. 
Why are running for alderman in Ward 4?
Poon says that she is running in ward 4 because she grew up in this area and because “it was something I needed to do.”
“I feel I have the skills for it,” Poon told CalgaryPolitics.com. “You can’t complain about things, you have to do something about it.”
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
“I would like to see a city where transit is the primary source,” says Poon. 
She believes Calgary will be a place where communities are multi-use and community centred. She also envisions not just an oil and gas capital, but an energy capital. 
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
While Poon believes that both face-to-face time and social media are important, she does not believe a lot of people are engaged in the social media side of things.
She says it is important to engage people, she is not sure if social media is doing the trick.
“People watching [social media] are already involved, but are we reaching out to those not engaged?” asks Poon. 
What was one thing the city did right this term?
Poon believes that the city did the right thing by not pursuing the airport tunnel. 
“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada could shut [the tunnel] down because it’s a security threat as it is under a runway,” argued Poon. “Why waste all that money that we don’t have on something that could never be used and increase risk?”
Poon believes that the security risks involved outweigh the transportation need that many candidates are siding with. 
Should municipalities be granted constitutional powers?
According to Poon, cities could benefit from more jurisdictional boundaries, and it would distinguish the responsibilities of the federal government, province, and city. Poon did not elaborate more on her points.
Almost all candidates have preached the importance of transportation. Would you take the bus to work at least once a week if elected? If not, why would you not take it if you are recommending Calgarians should take it?
“I would definitely take the bus,” suggested Poon. “Transit should be the first choice over the last choice for people.”
Poon said she takes the bus downtown when she needs to go there.
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
Poon says that while she does not include Aboriginals directly, the city has already met the needs of Aboriginals because there are so many groups already working with them.
“There are so many agencies doing an excellent job, so we should let them continue doing what they are best at,” says Poon. “We don’t need to necessarily step in.”
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
Poon argues that there needs to be balance between personal liberties and freedoms versus the greater good of the whole.
“Unfortunately, something we have to give up some of our personal freedoms for the good of all,” says Poon regarding measures like closed circuit televisions and the public behavior bylaw. 
This is cross-posted with CalgaryPolitics.com
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Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 4 Interview with Curtis Kruschel

Curtis Kruschel has lived in Huntington Hills for the past fourteen years with his wife and two daughters. He is involved in his community mainly through sports. He is a referee coordinator for many north west communities in Calgary, as well as the president of the Nose Creek Swim Association. 
Why are running for alderman in Ward 4?
“I’m running because I’ve been an active part of the community,” Kruschel tells CalgaryPoliticsl.com.
Whether it is the swim club or the soccer club, Kruschel says that he is deeply involved in his community and that is important when you are running for office. He wants to take it a step further by running so that he can give a voice for communities and clubs that he is involved in.
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
Kruschel sees a large train network in place that would join the four outer towns that currently surround Calgary. He believes that Calgary will also be a hub for oil business in Canada and a strong business core in the downtown area.
However, he also sees a future where the city will be more dependent on renewable resources such as solar, and an eco-friendly world that will avoid carbon-based power. 
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
While Krushel believes that social media is important in this election, he is skeptical about the electoral success it will yield.
“It won’t help them win probably,” says Kruschel. 
He also believes that if you do not start early learning some of the social media that is available out there, you are going to run into a steep learning curve later on. 
He believes that Facebook is more valuable because you get messages and more detailed posts, while Twitter is more of a distraction to him than anything else. Kruschel also believes new sites will evolve by the time the next election rolls in.
“I don’t know if Facebook will still be there in 2013,” says Kruschel. 
What was one thing the city did right this term?
Kruschel listed a variety of things which he thought the city did right including the 100 Chinatown anniversary events and the expanded BRT system, but he thought the city did an excellent job when WorldSkills was in town.
“I think the city did a good job of hosting it,“ Krushchel thought. 
He also believes it actively engaged students, which was a bonus for getting people excited about the event. 
Should municipalities be granted constitutional powers?
Kruschel believes in some changes to the city in terms of power.
“We should be autonomous in how we get out money,” says Kruschel. 
He says that the ability to spend money without going through the province every time would give us more flexibility. However, he does not believe in full constitutional changes if it means we are responsible for the costs of some capital projects.
“If [the province] is going to pay for it, that’s great,” thought Kruschel. “I think the province does a better job than fifteen councilors.”
Almost all candidates have preached the importance of transportation. Would you take the bus to work at least once a week if elected? If not, why would you not take it if you are recommending Calgarians should take it?
Kruschel says he takes the bus to work most days because it is easier and cheaper.
“I want to take the bus because it keeps me in touch with the people,” says Kruschel.
He also states that he would take the car on certain days, such a council meetings or when he needs to pick his children up from school.
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
Kruschel told CalgaryPolitics.com that he has nothing specific about Aboriginal issues because his platform is “not meant to segregate the population.”
“There is nothing I would not say to a Cauasian that I would say to an Asian,” Kruschel remarked. “I do what is best for the city as a whole.”
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
Kruschel believes that closed circuit televisions should only be used if necessary, and they are needed in some regards. However, he does not believe it is the city’s job to be watching people.
As for the public behavior bylaw, Kruschel points out that it boils down to enforceability. 
“If you can’t enforce it, there’s no point in having it,” says Kruschel. “Let the system take care of itself if you can’t enforce it.”
Kruschel favours black and white bylaws that must be specific.
“Our bylaws are written in a way that you have to be a doctor to understand them,” Kruschel argued.

This is cross-posted with CalgaryPolitics.com

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