[jj2424]

The deceit and lies never end. Who voted for this beotch in the first place?

‘Squeeze’ forced Redford to act on pay transparency, opposition says

Former chief of staff Stephen Carter tweets his severance was $130,000.



http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alber ... story.html

She paid him for getting her elected with tax payers money. I see Nenshi and Christe Clark also paid this guy for "services"

Two incumbent alderman in Calgary as well...Liberals of course.. Pincott and Farrell.

Liberal blood is thicker than oil in Alberta.
====================================================
Mayor Nenshi must be getting antsy.

Just as candidates sign up for the city’s ballot battle Nenshi does what former holders of his office never did.

He endorses all members of council running to keep their seats.

Everyone knows he has to back them all and not pick and choose from among the existing aldermen or he’d be accused of creating a Nenshi Party.

But everyone who has been around politics for more than a cup of coffee knows Nenshi is really interested in extending the purple coattails to the following aldermen facing stiff opposition — Druh Farrell, Gian-Carlo Carra, Brian Pincott, Gael MacLeod and Richard Pootmans.

They are preferred by the mayor over the alternatives who actually have a shot of winning.

But Nenshi goes further.

Nenshi is spotted at a rally-the-troops event for Ald. Druh Farrell. A picture is posted on Twitter along with comments.

Farrell’s people are asked to confirm the mayor’s attendance. They don’t reply.

Nenshi’s HQ is asked about the appearance and does not reply.

It is odd.

Mayors running for re-election go around town speaking about what they want to do in their next term of office.

They don’t try to directly influence who citizens send to city council.

That is, except in cities where slates of think-alike candidates run.

But Nenshi says he doesn’t like slates and he’s not about picking winners and losers.

He is about healthy debate, politics in full sentences and trying to determine what Calgarians want as he unites the city.

Guess that’s all crap.

Lookee here. Here’s a little voice telling us about an automated poll from BBold Communications.

That’s an outfit once owned by Stephen Carter, Nenshi’s campaign deep thinker in 2010 and now his attack puppy on Twitter.

According to LinkedIn, it’s now run by his wife, who is also Farrell’s campaign manager and is not returning calls either.

Anyway, the poll brings up homebuilder Cal Wenzel and the Manning Centre and how they’re teaming up to defeat Nenshi’s vision and asks whether the person being called can support a candidate that’s part of their slate.

This is the old trick. Create a bogeyman. Works like a charm.

Kevin Taylor who is running against Farrell is going to invite Nenshi to a campaign barbecue.

We all wait for hell to freeze over.

Can you imagine if you’re Brent Alexander?

He is also running against Farrell and his views and those of the mayor aren’t far apart. Now Nenshi is against him.

Alexander says he doesn’t think the mayor should endorse anyone.

“He doesn’t have a clue of what is going on in Ward 7. She is so unpopular,” he says, of Farrell.

“She is so divisive and polarizing.

“It’s not a question of whether she‘s going to be replaced. It’s who is going to replace her.

“She thinks she can get elected based on his coattails.”

The Nenshi strategy leaves you wondering.

What happens if those Nenshi is not endorsing win? Not a good start for the new council.

Meanwhile, at a candidate forum put on by seniors in Ogden, Ald. Carra could have used a little Nenshi.

Folks want their share of the $52 million. They don’t like how taxes are going up so much. They think Carra isn’t standing up for them.

In short, they believe Ogden is getting the short end of the stick.

You can hear the applause when candidate Richard Wilkie says Carra “hasn’t got a clue beyond the cliches.”

More applause comes when mention is made of major problems at city hall.

A lady talks about city hall’s “sense of entitlement.”

Thumbs-up throughout the crowd.

She doesn’t like $4.2 million in overtime for city brass. We find out Thursday the province now won’t make a final decision on whether to pay up until the city officially submits the tab.

“We are in the process of massive transformation,” says Carra.

Another lady goes to the microphone but not before asking me: “Did he call us stupid? I hate that guy.”

The crowd want to know whether Carra is writing off seniors.

The alderman says he respects them.

“Oh really,” one person speaks out. “B.S.,” says another.

“We’ve heard that crap before,” says a third.

The $52 million is a talker, a horse very much alive, and city council is accused of stealing the money.

“Nobody is stealing anything,” says Carra, who through the afternoon offers up rambling answers.

Heads shake.

“I don’t understand a thing he’s saying,” says a senior to your scribbler.

There’s not a hipster in sight and Carra insists he’s an “east Calgary boy.”

Nenshi pulled that one out the last election.

In the end a slightly bruised Carra figures “it’s very interesting to be painted as the establishment.”

And, of course, he now is.
==================================================

This would explain that ugly half million dollar ring at the north end of Calgary.

[Curtman]

jj2424 jj2424:

This would explain that ugly half million dollar ring at the north end of Calgary.

No kidding. At least Canada got a hell of a gazebo, when Tony Clement spent millions of "border security" dollars on them.



Future generations will benefit. The loop thing? Pffffft. Artys fartsy crap.

Another example. The fake lake was a huge success! The headline says so right here:

Federal government says G20 ‘fake lake’ was wildly successful

$1:

The lake was part of Experience Canada, a $2-million tourism pavilion in the Toronto media centre, where 3,700 journalists covered the summits.

Sure you might say it doesn't even exist anymore. But we have memories, and thats 2 million dollars worth of memories. Well spent tax money there. We had to cut funding to a lot of charities to pay for that, and it's a sacrifice that we chose democratically.

[Curtman]

Legal bills for Paradis investigations almost $458,000

$1:

Taxpayers have spent $457,936.75 on private legal advice in connection with several investigations into the conduct of Christian Paradis during his short tenure heading the Public Works and Government Services Department.

The largest sum – $309,337 – was for legal work on two investigations by Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault, billed by the law firm Gowlings. Ottawa lawyer Richard Dearden has been handling the file.

The Public Works Department has paid $148,599.75 for private lawyers to advise Paradis and six of his political staffers during four investigations, two by Legault’s office and two by Conflict of Interest Commissioner Mary Dawson.

Documents obtained under access-to-information legislation show that Public Works paid at least $72,439.42 to Ottawa lawyer Paul Lepsoe, who was for years the Conservative Party’s lawyer. Arthur Hamilton, who became counsel to the party after Lepsoe and continues in that role, received $10,102.06 for advising Paradis in one of the investigations.

This as well. Who wouldn't vote for this if an election was called today? Decision time: Loop, or legal bills. Hooray for conservatism!

[OnTheIce]

"But Stephen Harper did....."

Nice way to address the topic, Curt. Such a hack.

[Unsound]

"But [insert person/party here] did" seems to be sop for every side. Says a lot more about the quality of politicians we get than any particular ideology.