Municipal Politics

[Greenspace]

Isn't one of the primary aims of the zoning bylaw precisely to reign in sprawl?

It will not do that in my opinion. Zoning isn't really a tool for that. It will make for more development choices in mature areas, and we are slowly shifting more of our total units built every year to infill, but to actually curb sprawl would be to actually curb sprawl itself -- not approving new ASPs, etc. That has consequences. Changing the zoning doesn't really move the needle that much.

 

[Greenspace]

Various City boards are now recruiting.

Agencies, Boards, Committees and Commissions Recruitment | City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton runs a major recruitment campaign annually in December/January, with additional recruitments taking place throughout the year.

www.edmonton.ca

 

[Gronk!]

Is there anyone on SRC who wants to join the Edmonton Design Committee?
I'm looking at @Greenspace , @IanO , @kcantor , @archited , @cmd uw and a few others as potential candidates.

 

[IanO]

As someone who served 7 years on SDAB, I highly encourage everyone to consider volunteering their time and sharing their expertise and perspective on City boards. They are incredibly rewarding, you learn A LOT and I met a vast quantity of wonderful people throughout my time.

 

[Greenspace]

Agree with Ian. I'm on my 6th year of SDAB and find it quite rewarding. If I wasn't already committed I would consider EDC.

 

[Greenspace]

Building a Stronger Town: An Evening with Charles Marohn​

Building financially resilient communities. Keynote delivered by Charles Marohn, Founder and President of Strong Towns.

Building a Stronger Town: An Evening with Charles Marohn

Building financially resilient communities. Keynote delivered by Charles Marohn, Founder and President of Strong Towns.

www.eventbrite.ca

 

[kcantor]

Sooo…

You have to wonder if Calgary Mayor Gondek and those like her who now consider lighting a Menorah to be “pro-Israel” consider Christmas Tree lighting to be more “pro-Italian” or “pro-Norwegian”?

 

[Kosy123]

Sooo…

You have to wonder if Calgary Mayor Gondek and those like her who now consider lighting a Menorah to be “pro-Israel” consider Christmas Tree lighting to be more “pro-Italian” or “pro-Norwegian”?

From my understanding, Gondek showed up last year to the same ceremony and it seemed to just be the same this year until a switch by the organizers happened yesterday or the day before.

Considering the fact that they're having Israeli war bonds as part of the ceremony/event? I don't blame her at all for withdrawing one bit. Lighting the menorah is fine and dandy, but adding those caveats change the nature of the event. I'm in complete agreement with her decision to withdraw.

If the Calgary subreddit (who loathes Gondek) are actually level-headed about this, then I think we can be so as well.

 

[Whattagame]

Sooo…

You have to wonder if Calgary Mayor Gondek and those like her who now consider lighting a Menorah to be “pro-Israel” consider Christmas Tree lighting to be more “pro-Italian” or “pro-Norwegian”?

No link + oversimplification = online discourse

This is a very messy situation with no right answer for Gondek.

 

[David A]

Sooo…

You have to wonder if Calgary Mayor Gondek and those like her who now consider lighting a Menorah to be “pro-Israel” consider Christmas Tree lighting to be more “pro-Italian” or “pro-Norwegian”?

I believe Christmas trees came mainly from Germany (although Norway may make sense too). Interestingly, I believe we still had them here during WW1 and WW11.

We should also be careful not to conflate religions, nations and politics. Should we condemn Christians for slavery, Islam for terrorism ...? I feel it can get too muddled, we should just celebrate a religious event without getting into politics.

 

[kcantor]

^

it’s pretty hard to disagree with that sentiment.

we need to be lighting more lights for each other, not extinguishing them or ignoring them, regardless of who is holding the candle.

 

[TAS]

Gondek's rationale

Gondek did attend last year. Here was the poster from then.

 

[IanO]

Throwback Sunday

https://mozai.com/writing/not_mine/spacemoose/tooker.png

 

[kcantor]

"During their presentation on Tuesday to city council, administration said costs are being partially offset with lower personnel costs “due to unfilled vacancies across various city departments.” Higher membership and admission revenue for recreational facilities and programs is adding to the offset."

interesting that there was no mention of how much the city saves every day it doesn't snow and how much of the $22 million drop from earlier year end estimates is due to the weather. of course administration can't take credit for the weather...

City of Edmonton projecting $52-million deficit for year-end

Edmonton is projecting a $52-million deficit for the year-end budget, equivalent to 1.8 per cent of the overall tax-supported budget.

edmontonjournal.com

 

[David A]

"During their presentation on Tuesday to city council, administration said costs are being partially offset with lower personnel costs “due to unfilled vacancies across various city departments.” Higher membership and admission revenue for recreational facilities and programs is adding to the offset."

interesting that there was no mention of how much the city saves every day it doesn't snow and how much of the $22 million drop from earlier year end estimates is due to the weather. of course administration can't take credit for the weather...

City of Edmonton projecting $52-million deficit for year-end

Edmonton is projecting a $52-million deficit for the year-end budget, equivalent to 1.8 per cent of the overall tax-supported budget.

edmontonjournal.com

Good question. Remember the days when journalists would actually ask questions like that, print the response or indicate if there was no response?

I find the article a bit confusing, going on about Yellowknife wildfire costs which leads me to believe it is part of the deficit, but then it says it will be recovered, leading me to believe it is not. But who knows, maybe that's in the next fiscal year, so it doesn't count until then.