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Municipal Politics

There could be an opportunity for the city to get some much needed money if some of the golf courses were sold to private owners.

However that could also mean reduced public access to affordable recreational activities particularly in more central areas of the city.
 
They should absolutely NOT get out of that business, but that business must be competitive and of a reasonable service quality.

This is no different than hockey rinks, baseball diamonds or soccer.
 
IanO said:
They should absolutely NOT get out of that business, but that business must be competitive and of a reasonable service quality.

This is no different than hockey rinks, baseball diamonds or soccer.
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I wouldn't support selling public golf courses to the private industry to operate. I would be supportive of reducing the amount of river valley land in our core dedicated to golf courses however, as they account for a large volume of space.
And if water restrictions become a growing issue, which many analysts suggest will be, then it makes sense in that regard, too.
 
We have way too many golf courses in our river valley. Why, for example, do we have 2 golf courses (Victoria and Mayfair) that are practically across the river from each other? I say close down the Victoria Golf Course while retaining the driving range, Greenhouse restaurant and the cricket pitch, and transform the rest of it into a municipal park that is akin to Hawrelak Park or maybe an extension of Victoria Park.
 
The thing about our Muni golf courses if they are affordable and accessible for those in the city looking to enjoy the game. There aren't a ton of options for public golf without going to the outskirts or even outside city limits. If they eliminate those and turn them into public parks that becomes an expense for a city already struggling to make ends meet. Respecting the idea of green space for all I have often contended that I don't think we lack space for our citizens to enjoy even with the temporary Hawrelak rebuild.
 
I would be in favor of selling off surplus land/buildings to pay for SPECIFIC high priority or city building type capital projects, like the redevelopment of the Rossdale Power plant and surrounding area, for instance. Perhaps that could be done through a Municipal Development Corporation as others have noted on this forum. But as stated above, I'm 100% against the money from surplus land sales funding operating or overhead costs for a year or two.
 
Yup. It’s also politically convenient to not be associated with a political party for someone who’s on the right of the political spectrum in Edmonton.

The moment you are? It’s easy to go:
- be fiscal conservative
- have conservative-ish party municipally
- be associated with UCP
- be politically sent to the grave before you can even wake up in the morning
 
kcantor said:
An interesting - and pretty accurate - take on the responsibilties and relationship between the City Manager and City Council.

https://urbanaffairs.ca/frankly/thou-shalt-not-hire-a-city-manager-in-thine-own-image/

Not counting the current and previous interim holders of the office, whoever is hired will be the City's 5th General Manager in the last 15 years. That is not a recipe for stability or progress...
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Hasn't it been three previous people hired as city manager since 2010?

Simon Farbrother was hired in 2010 and fired in 2015. Next was Linda Cochrane who announced retirement late in 2019. Next in 2020/21 was Andre Corbould until now. Since 2010 (14 years) the city has hired 3. Former deputy manager Adam Laughlin filled in twice during those hirings.
 
There has been criticism of this city council and mayor, and while that will always be the case and I certainly have my grievances, one thing I am most upset about is this provincial government.

It would be a different story with a Nenshi led government in terms of support for housing, downtown issues and more.

I really believe the UCP would like our progressive councils in both cities to not do well. In the recall Gondek campaign, there were ucp events in Calgary - official provincial riding events in Calgary - where announcements were made about signing the petition to recall the mayor and the petition was available. That is so offside.

Out of the three levels of government, many of the provinces including ours have been the biggest hurdle in joint initiatives from happening. Our province has on multiple occasions left federal money on the table related to health, daycare and more.

Ford in Ontario is being provided hundreds of millions in housing support but because he can't get past the idea of fourplexes, he is willing to not accept it and see things get worse. Several of the provinces in this country scare me the most and I say that knowing we have a federal government who has messed up multiple, multiple times.
 
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