Comments on: Joe and you… http://telljoe.ca/2009/10/hello-world/ Sun, 16 May 2010 05:54:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://telljoe.ca/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Bruce Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:39:17 +0000 http://telljoe.ca/?p=1#comment-16 First of all, I want to make it clear that I appreciate the efforts of City Council on formulating the priorities for 2009-11. I know such an exercise is exceedingly difficult. Frankly, I found the priorities a mix of objectives, strategies and tactics as opposed to a set of true ‘umbrella’ priorities. In my view, Calgary is at a crossroads of either remaining a slightly above average city at risk of eventual decline or kicking it up a couple of notches to become world-renowned in selected areas. Calgary’s leaders and citizens need to make bold, and potentially unpopular, decisions to differentiate Calgary from other mid-sized, growing cities. Calgary needs to focus on the truly emerging opportunities and challenges, not the obvious ones reported by the media. For instance, Calgary should place greater emphasis on: i) integrated economic/residential hubs or clusters connected by defined corridors, ii) a long-term regional land use strategy, iii) strategic procurement practices that circumvent price gouging prevalent in Alberta, iv) an economic development strategy that has specific approaches for facilitating entrepreneurship, and v) meaningful/practical social and environmental solutions. As for city government, City Council should consider a significant streamlining of the organization structure to focus the resources on the primary areas of accountability (the City of Sugar Land, Texas seems to be on the right track in this regard). The city government should strive to decrease its total annual cost by something in the order of 25% over the next three years. I know that sounds radical, but such an ambitious target will force people in the organization to completely reinvent the manner in which they plan and execute vital services. Finally, Calgary has unfortunately become known for selfishness and greed in recent years (just talk to anyone not from Calgary). We need to make dramatic changes to put the city on a path to becoming known for qualities like innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and social and environmental leadership. Bruce First of all, I want to make it clear that I appreciate the efforts of City Council on formulating the priorities for 2009-11. I know such an exercise is exceedingly difficult. Frankly, I found the priorities a mix of objectives, strategies and tactics as opposed to a set of true ‘umbrella’ priorities.

In my view, Calgary is at a crossroads of either remaining a slightly above average city at risk of eventual decline or kicking it up a couple of notches to become world-renowned in selected areas. Calgary’s leaders and citizens need to make bold, and potentially unpopular, decisions to differentiate Calgary from other mid-sized, growing cities. Calgary needs to focus on the truly emerging opportunities and challenges, not the obvious ones reported by the media. For instance, Calgary should place greater emphasis on: i) integrated economic/residential hubs or clusters connected by defined corridors, ii) a long-term regional land use strategy, iii) strategic procurement practices that circumvent price gouging prevalent in Alberta, iv) an economic development strategy that has specific approaches for facilitating entrepreneurship, and v) meaningful/practical social and environmental solutions.

As for city government, City Council should consider a significant streamlining of the organization structure to focus the resources on the primary areas of accountability (the City of Sugar Land, Texas seems to be on the right track in this regard). The city government should strive to decrease its total annual cost by something in the order of 25% over the next three years. I know that sounds radical, but such an ambitious target will force people in the organization to completely reinvent the manner in which they plan and execute vital services.

Finally, Calgary has unfortunately become known for selfishness and greed in recent years (just talk to anyone not from Calgary). We need to make dramatic changes to put the city on a path to becoming known for qualities like innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and social and environmental leadership.

Bruce

]]> By: joe http://telljoe.ca/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-9 joe Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:53:44 +0000 http://telljoe.ca/?p=1#comment-9 Lorraine I really do hear what your saying…”Plain English” Right! I fully agree and as you know these are the Priorities as set forth by council. This is one of the reasons I developed this platform…I want to get a good understanding of the public understanding and desire for these 25 priorities. With this info I plan to create more surveys with very “to the point” questions (Such as the poll question on the home page) if we work through this process, at the other end of it we will all have a clear picture of What YOU and your community feel are needed and how I may be able to bring these ideas forward. Hope that helps and thanks very much for giving your feedback! Lorraine I really do hear what your saying…”Plain English” Right! I fully agree and as you know these are the Priorities as set forth by council. This is one of the reasons I developed this platform…I want to get a good understanding of the public understanding and desire for these 25 priorities.
With this info I plan to create more surveys with very “to the point” questions (Such as the poll question on the home page) if we work through this process, at the other end of it we will all have a clear picture of What YOU and your community feel are needed and how I may be able to bring these ideas forward.

Hope that helps and thanks very much for giving your feedback!

]]> By: Chris http://telljoe.ca/2009/10/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Chris Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:39:12 +0000 http://telljoe.ca/?p=1#comment-6 Hi Joe First of all the site is a great idea, congrats. Ive scanned through it, did the survey, and have a couple of comments. I like your ethic of wanting to run the city like a business. One thing that can be done to really clear up the bottom line is to clean up the waste. By that I mean lets do away with the high level double speak and magical handwaving that seems to be prevelant in the city. The survey itself was filled with misleading, frivolous, extraneous wording that really doesnt mean anything and most would probably not understand what was trying to be said. Mayor Dave does more to harm this city than anyone I know. One second he claiming we have no money so we have to raise taxes and the next he's announcing the WEST of downtown redevelopment plan. Where the heck did that come from? The snow removal issue of last winter could have easily been resolved by plowing the damn streets and then adding $25 to everyone's tax bill. Instead we end up debating a once in 75 year snowfall like it was the end of the world. Simple solutions to simple problems. I cant believe that with all of the intelligence in this city no one could come up with a better solution that to just argue about it! Lastly, and I glad to see this was resolved quickly as I almost lost my head Monday morning hearing that the property tax debate was up for review again. Didnt we decide just last year to finalize the budget for 3 years forward? And here we are just one year later debating changes yet again? Im at a loss for words. I would like to see something done about transit. The environment there must be just disturbing. The buses are filthy, the schedules are a disaster, and the only thing worse than the attitudes of the drivers is the attitudes of the service department. I take the 108 bus everyday and this fall has been one misstep after another, buses showing up whenever they feel like, never mind that the drivers dont even know the route or where the stops are. Anyways, enough for now, I think you get my point - less waste of my money. Appreciate your efforts, Chris Hi Joe
First of all the site is a great idea, congrats. Ive scanned through it, did the survey, and have a couple of comments.
I like your ethic of wanting to run the city like a business. One thing that can be done to really clear up the bottom line is to clean up the waste. By that I mean lets do away with the high level double speak and magical handwaving that seems to be prevelant in the city.
The survey itself was filled with misleading, frivolous, extraneous wording that really doesnt mean anything and most would probably not understand what was trying to be said.
Mayor Dave does more to harm this city than anyone I know. One second he claiming we have no money so we have to raise taxes and the next he’s announcing the WEST of downtown redevelopment plan. Where the heck did that come from?
The snow removal issue of last winter could have easily been resolved by plowing the damn streets and then adding $25 to everyone’s tax bill. Instead we end up debating a once in 75 year snowfall like it was the end of the world. Simple solutions to simple problems. I cant believe that with all of the intelligence in this city no one could come up with a better solution that to just argue about it!
Lastly, and I glad to see this was resolved quickly as I almost lost my head Monday morning hearing that the property tax debate was up for review again. Didnt we decide just last year to finalize the budget for 3 years forward? And here we are just one year later debating changes yet again? Im at a loss for words.
I would like to see something done about transit. The environment there must be just disturbing. The buses are filthy, the schedules are a disaster, and the only thing worse than the attitudes of the drivers is the attitudes of the service department. I take the 108 bus everyday and this fall has been one misstep after another, buses showing up whenever they feel like, never mind that the drivers dont even know the route or where the stops are.
Anyways, enough for now, I think you get my point – less waste of my money.

Appreciate your efforts,
Chris

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