The City of Calgary has declared war on residents who park their vehicles on streets designated with the brand new SNOW ROUTE signs. You can now look forward to the thought of having your car towed away moments after the City of Calgary declaring a SNOW EVENT any given winter’s day. (You should know that on-street handicap zones located along snow routes will be exempt from the 72 hour parking ban at all times).
The archaic Snow Route Parking Bans will go into effect immediately each and every Calgarian with an operators permit will in all likelihood fall victim to this insidious scheme at some point in future.
I am advised by the City of Calgary that they will announce a press release 24 hours prior to any impending Snow Route Parking Ban. Assuming that you do listen to the radio, watch the nightly news, or read the newspaper, chances are you’ll probably stand about a 10% chance of hearing the advance Snow Route Parking Ban warning announcement.
If you do miss it altogether, not to worry, you just might catch the actual announcement one way or other at which time The Snow Route Parking Ban will go into effect IMMEDIATELY!
If you are one of the unfortunate folks who misses the Snow Route Parking Ban announcement altogether, don’t worry, there are options. For example if you are a shift worker and were fast asleep, or at a funeral, at an important meeting or were on holidays, and your car gets towed under Section 3(1)k of the City of Calgary Parking Bylaw, because you simply could not stay abreast of the Snow Route Parking Ban status at all times, there are solutions.
1) Pay your Parking Ticket – $36.00 if paid within 7 days
2) Pay your Towing Fee $75.00 + $2.10 Km after 5 KM’s Minimum
3) Pay your Cab Fare $40.00
4) Pay your impound Fee $75.00 + $24.00 per day storage Minimum
5) Pay the administration Fee – $18.00
6) Pay the GST
All in all, aside from having to find a cab which will in all likelihood be one of the most miserable and coldest days of the year, you can easily make your restitution for the paltry minimum sum of about $256.00 not to mention your minor aggravation.
Residents who live or work along the City of Calgary Snow Routes will no longer have their vehicles frozen in for the winter after a plow has entrapped it in a slushy frozen ice cake mess. Instead the white stuff will be heaped up onto the sidewalk, where they had best remove it immediately or face another violation ticket.
The problem the City of Calgary Snow Route Parking Ban Plan is that a great many Calgarians won’t even know if and when a Snow Route Parking Ban has been declared.
What makes this scheme even more perfidious is that since the Snow Route Plan is only enforced on the rarest of occasions, citizens will become all but oblivious to those all too common signs posted just about everywhere.
The map below is a graphical representation provided by the City of Calgary which depicts the extent of our city’s newest roadside dis-ease.
The problem with the CalgarySnow Route Parking Plan is that all cars must be removed immediately following an announcement. Residents are expected to constantly monitor their iPhones, email accounts, televisions and radios, to know exactly when they need to evacuate their vehicles.
I’d like to suggest that the city install air horns at intervals throughout the city, of not less than 10 city blocks, in every community. This would give all residents fair warning when a Snow Parking Ban has been implemented. Then no one could really suggest that the parking ban is just another tax grabbing scheme implemented by our current City Council.
Other communities are also affected, even if they are not on the Snow Route. They will also need to be notified since they will be migrating at all times into the affected areas. Unfortunately, if you are on vacation or just out of town for a day or two, you’ll find yourself in a bad position upon your return.
I’m very happy that our elected officials are looking out for our best interests and trying to make our city a better place in which to live. Sometimes we just need to “suck it up” and face the music.
For the rest of you, I expect the City of Calgary Snow Route Parking Ban Plan will only serve to infuriate you, and hit you where it hurts at the worst possible time.
In case you are wondering what is happening on the Peace Bridge Construction in Calgary here is a photo I captured on October 1st, 2011. The Peace Bridge is located in Eau Claire, which is on the South Side of the Bow River at approximately 7th Street SW and 1st Avenue. The Peace Bridge is a pedestrian crossing which our Calgary City Council received an incredible backlash from residents of the City of Calgary. The design was handed out to a Non-Canadian architect, Santiago Calatrava who’s principal office is in Zurich, Switzerland for nearly $4 million dollars, without having even tendered it to Canadian Architects. The Peace Bridge was tendered under the leadership of Mayor Dave Bronconnier.
The Peace Bridge construction cost is estimated over $25 million dollars when it is completed. The Peace Bridge will service the communities of Eau Clair on the south, and Sunnyside on the North Side of the Bow River. Both Communities are represented by long time friend and Bronconnier supporter Druh Farrell. The Peace Bridge is far behind schedule, due to many problems during construction, and having to order replacement parts with long delivery times from overseas.
While the Peace Bridge, demonstrates a fine example of world class architecture, the long term benefit to the average Calgarian remains to be seen.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke at an open forum in front of a friendly but focused crowd at the Unitarian Church of Calgary this afternoon. He arrived without fanfare, and precisely on time, wasted very little time getting organized. He was casually dressed, in blue jeans, a white shirt and brown sports coat. Mr. Nenshi promptly and unceremoniously sat himself down right on stage steps in front of the crowd of a couple of hundred to adjust his microphone before getting up to speak. He was composed and relaxed, and spoke without pretense. Many times he had the crowd laughing with his quick wit and delightful sense of humour which he called upon frequently to lighten up the occasion. I was able to capture some candid photos during the final moments before his departure.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi anwering serious questions from concerned citizens – Barry Wilkinson looks on
His presentation, “Looking at Calgary’s Past and Visioning Calgary’s Future” was relevant and informative, followed by a question and answer period. This transcription of the event is intended as reference and is not written verbatim, but to the best of my ability, I tried to capture the proceedings in his own words.
The Presentation
How cities and communities work, Calgary’s physical growth utilizing map references from the Saturdays Calgary Herald newspaper. New communities are being built on the outskirts. Starter homes under 400K. The City of Calgary has been working with developers building communities for different income levels rather than working towards the integration and creation of diverse communities within the communities we already have.
Observations of Calgary in Naheed-time
Population of Calgary in 1994 – 738,000
Population of Calgary today 1,182,500
This rapid growth has caused increase congestion and there has not been enough infrastructure upgrades to keep up with this growth. For example, Calgary has increased C-trains from 31 to 37 during this period.
East village has gone nowhere in spite of years of promises.
Homeless has increased from 450 in ’94 to an astounding 4060 in 2008.
Calgary’s image is changing from that of a Big small-city to small big-city.
When we look at the larger centres like Los Angeles, California, and Curitiba, Brazil, 85% and 75% of the populations respectively, utilize public transit whereas our numbers are dismal.
Larry Leach banters with Mayor Naheed Nenshi
The Evolution of Calgary
Ethnicity maps show non-whites are congregating in the NE. Especially Coral Springs in ’96. In 2006 ethnicities have increased numbers throughout the city but are still far more concentrated in the NE. There is a practice of real estate agents to REDLINE which is steering clients to a particular area based on names or ethnicity. This causes a high risk of “ghettoization”, and the practice has been confirmed using bait buyers.
Children were evenly distributed across the city in 1996. Now, it is the outlying areas of the city which have more young families. Kids are not where the schools are, and so services are replicated which is very costly. The city will be building new recreation centers. Some of this is politically motivated.
Seniors over 65 in 2001 were centrally located, and now they are moving outward. Based on income levels in 2006, the high income areas are moving into the city centre, where the average household income now averages over 800K.
Crimes against people are scattered evenly around the city regardless of income. Mayor Nenshi suggests diversity in neighborhoods is a key building block for health communities.
We are connected to our communities. Whether social, cultural or physical, these communities are mixed, safe and just. They welcome meaningful participation from everyone, and people move freely between them
Some time ago his volunteers took a poll asking “Why did you choose where you live?”
Young people liked certain vibes, diverse, intersections of the world, neighborhoods that do not threaten their identity, where they want to engage in new experiences, forcing re-examination of self, and help foster innovation. Immigrant and ethnic presence are welcomed, as are the basic simple needs identified for survival such as safety, schools, and amenities.
ACHIEVING A GREAT CITY
How do we do it?
Fight urban sprawl
Create a new transportation strategy
Improve human potential and social inclusion maximizing the benefits of immigration tuning up the economic development fostering creativity and culture Building great universities increasing civic engagement
The challenge is to engage young people to become involved in the problem solving process.
RECREATIONAL FACULITIES – Within the city are not keeping pace to the demand. Mayor Nenshi wants to ensure that we all take an active role in invest in our communities.
Then he gave us our homework!
Mayor Nenshi challenged those present , starting today and within the next few days, encourage others to become involved at a higher level in their communities and democratic processes at all levels. Create opportunities to share, and notify his office. Some of the stories will be featured over the next several months.
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION
Question: Calgary Centre for Global communities speaker giving thanks for all the good work he has doen for the city to date.
Response: He does what he can but it requires the input from everyone.
Question: Larry Leach thanked Mayor Nenshi for walking the walk.
Answer: The city has not been doing a good job of representing the citizens preferring political maneuvering. Even when consensus is given they have not been implementing good ideas because there has been no accountability or perspective. Mayor Nenshi encourages citizens to keep communications open to politicians.
Queston: There are discriminatory practices in professional fields not being allowed to work in their professions.
Answer: This is a complete waste of human potential. Don’t blame federal, provincial or civic bodies. We all need to step up and voice these types of concerns to raise awareness.
Question: Developers are giving people what there is a demand for.
Answer: I am a big proponent of choice, that being said, in the case of making choices, there needs to be regulation to ensure that neighborhoods offer free market choices and not limit available options. Also making choices based on the best information available and not what is just presented.
Question: Will a living wage come up as a possibility?
Answer: Living wage net impact policy was a bad policy. I wasn’t satisfied with the analysis that was presented. Non profits were telling me that if the policy was implemented, they could no longer afford to hire.
Question: Increasing police presence, including cameras, why is it happening? The asker feels that people are unhappy about this. It appears to be an effort to control people economically rather than by necessity.
Answer: The statement is too harsh. The police are the largest single department. We may feel like a police state but we are very far from it. Calgary is a safe city categorically. We need to ensure that communities are safe by design. The Calgary Police are an important part of it. We are blessed with an outstanding police force with many challenges. The police are trained to deal with many types of people, and they need to ensure that they are helping the community to live better lives. Perception is reality, so it’s important to ensure that the streets are kept safe. Recent changes have made an enormous difference. Nenshi feels that the police department was very cooperative in providing reduced budget on request of city council.
Question: Housing Choices; Bernie Amell; Feels that there is not enough choices available to the consumer, young families etc. In particular single family homes are about the only option available to them. Wants to know why the city isn’t doing more to encourage more cooperative alternatives by providing financial assistance and options.
Answer: It is hard for the city to look outside of the box, sometimes taking up to 7 years to get a new idea put through. Your proposal is news to me and I would like to hear more. Please send me more information so I can have a look at it.
Question: With respect to the C-train, Why aren’t there more buses running to the C-train stations as it is very difficult to commute
Answer: Starting March there will be significantly improved service on a number of routes. The city is trying to build up express buses. They are looking a lot at this, including express busses to the airport. This is an important area to him and they should notify 311 and let them know specific areas of concern.
Question: I share the walkable communities vision but how will it work for central and new developments. How about the older communities?
Answer: There is a donut around the city as the city grew outward. Changes require mind shift changes by the people living in those areas. In 2005 more than 80% of neighborhoods lost populations. Older communities have opportunities now for younger families but they need to be reasonably cost effective. We need to look at reworking our existing communities and in particular the legalization of secondary suites. The stature of community associations is unique in Calgary, but there is some powerful associations which do not reflect the residents. Make sure that you check this out by attending meetings and participating.
Question: Rumor has it that credit cards are coming but what about debit cards? What are they doing to attract more C-train riders?
Answer: Yes, there are plans to increase availability to more riders by offering more payment options, In addition, increased service, improving the experience, investment in signage and fair payment options. Planning for mid 2011, we intend to have electronic signs at bus stops to notify when the next bus is coming. These signs are GPS equipped. There is smart card technology coming as well. He is unsure if the new ticket machines will give change.
Question: Do you see Calgary playing a larger role on the world scene?
Answer: I am focused on making Calgary a better place for Calgarians, and if the end result is that we will make a difference on a global level and that would be great. Calgary is a good example of how positive change can and does make a huge difference. Let Calgary serve as a model to the world so we can all learn from each other.
Mayor Nenshi then thanked everyone for attending a and did not rush off, allowing people to question him personally, shake his hand and even sign autographs, for as long as was required. What a refreshing change this is and certainly a first in my recollection, for any politician!
While selling real estate is what I do, it is not who I am. I enjoy participating in local events, networking and the like. I consider Calgary to be my city. If you would like me to help make it yours, why not give me a call?
Mayor Nenshi Calgary – Meets the Public – Mike Leibel
Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke at an open forum in front of a friendly but focused crowd at the Unitarian Church of Calgary this afternoon. He arrived without fanfare, and precisely on time, wasted very little time getting organized. He was casually dressed, in blue jeans, a white shirt and brown sports coat. Mr. Nenshi promptly and unceremoniously sat himself down right on stage steps in front of the crowd of a couple of hundred to adjust his microphone before getting up to speak. He was composed and relaxed, and spoke without pretense. Many times he had the crowd laughing with his quick wit and delightful sense of humour which he called upon frequently to lighten up the occasion. I was able to capture some candid photos during the final moments before his departure.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi anwering serious questions from concerned citizens – Barry Wilkinson looks on
His presentation, “Looking at Calgary’s Past and Visioning Calgary’s Future” was relevant and informative, followed by a question and answer period. This transcription of the event is intended as reference and is not written verbatim, but to the best of my ability, I tried to capture the proceedings in his own words.
The Presentation
How cities and communities work, Calgary’s physical growth utilizing map references from the Saturdays Calgary Herald newspaper. New communities are being built on the outskirts. Starter homes under 400K. The City of Calgary has been working with developers building communities for different income levels rather than working towards the integration and creation of diverse communities within the communities we already have.
Observations of Calgary in Naheed-time
Larry Leach banters with Mayor Naheed Nenshi
The Evolution of Calgary
Ethnicity maps show non-whites are congregating in the NE. Especially Coral Springs in ’96. In 2006 ethnicities have increased numbers throughout the city but are still far more concentrated in the NE. There is a practice of real estate agents to REDLINE which is steering clients to a particular area based on names or ethnicity. This causes a high risk of “ghettoization”, and the practice has been confirmed using bait buyers.
Children were evenly distributed across the city in 1996. Now, it is the outlying areas of the city which have more young families. Kids are not where the schools are, and so services are replicated which is very costly. The city will be building new recreation centers. Some of this is politically motivated.
Seniors over 65 in 2001 were centrally located, and now they are moving outward. Based on income levels in 2006, the high income areas are moving into the city centre, where the average household income now averages over 800K.
Crimes against people are scattered evenly around the city regardless of income. Mayor Nenshi suggests diversity in neighborhoods is a key building block for health communities.
We are connected to our communities. Whether social, cultural or physical, these communities are mixed, safe and just. They welcome meaningful participation from everyone, and people move freely between them
Some time ago his volunteers took a poll asking “Why did you choose where you live?”
Young people liked certain vibes, diverse, intersections of the world, neighborhoods that do not threaten their identity, where they want to engage in new experiences, forcing re-examination of self, and help foster innovation. Immigrant and ethnic presence are welcomed, as are the basic simple needs identified for survival such as safety, schools, and amenities.
ACHIEVING A GREAT CITY
How do we do it?
The challenge is to engage young people to become involved in the problem solving process.
RECREATIONAL FACULITIES – Within the city are not keeping pace to the demand. Mayor Nenshi wants to ensure that we all take an active role in invest in our communities.
Then he gave us our homework!
Mayor Nenshi challenged those present , starting today and within the next few days, encourage others to become involved at a higher level in their communities and democratic processes at all levels. Create opportunities to share, and notify his office. Some of the stories will be featured over the next several months.
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION
Question: Calgary Centre for Global communities speaker giving thanks for all the good work he has doen for the city to date.
Response: He does what he can but it requires the input from everyone.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Larry Leach thanked Mayor Nenshi for walking the walk.
Answer: The city has not been doing a good job of representing the citizens preferring political maneuvering. Even when consensus is given they have not been implementing good ideas because there has been no accountability or perspective. Mayor Nenshi encourages citizens to keep communications open to politicians.
______________________________________________________________________
Queston: There are discriminatory practices in professional fields not being allowed to work in their professions.
Answer: This is a complete waste of human potential. Don’t blame federal, provincial or civic bodies. We all need to step up and voice these types of concerns to raise awareness.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Developers are giving people what there is a demand for.
Answer: I am a big proponent of choice, that being said, in the case of making choices, there needs to be regulation to ensure that neighborhoods offer free market choices and not limit available options. Also making choices based on the best information available and not what is just presented.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Will a living wage come up as a possibility?
Answer: Living wage net impact policy was a bad policy. I wasn’t satisfied with the analysis that was presented. Non profits were telling me that if the policy was implemented, they could no longer afford to hire.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Increasing police presence, including cameras, why is it happening? The asker feels that people are unhappy about this. It appears to be an effort to control people economically rather than by necessity.
Answer: The statement is too harsh. The police are the largest single department. We may feel like a police state but we are very far from it. Calgary is a safe city categorically. We need to ensure that communities are safe by design. The Calgary Police are an important part of it. We are blessed with an outstanding police force with many challenges. The police are trained to deal with many types of people, and they need to ensure that they are helping the community to live better lives. Perception is reality, so it’s important to ensure that the streets are kept safe. Recent changes have made an enormous difference. Nenshi feels that the police department was very cooperative in providing reduced budget on request of city council.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Housing Choices; Bernie Amell; Feels that there is not enough choices available to the consumer, young families etc. In particular single family homes are about the only option available to them. Wants to know why the city isn’t doing more to encourage more cooperative alternatives by providing financial assistance and options.
Answer: It is hard for the city to look outside of the box, sometimes taking up to 7 years to get a new idea put through. Your proposal is news to me and I would like to hear more. Please send me more information so I can have a look at it.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: With respect to the C-train, Why aren’t there more buses running to the C-train stations as it is very difficult to commute
Answer: Starting March there will be significantly improved service on a number of routes. The city is trying to build up express buses. They are looking a lot at this, including express busses to the airport. This is an important area to him and they should notify 311 and let them know specific areas of concern.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: I share the walkable communities vision but how will it work for central and new developments. How about the older communities?
Answer: There is a donut around the city as the city grew outward. Changes require mind shift changes by the people living in those areas. In 2005 more than 80% of neighborhoods lost populations. Older communities have opportunities now for younger families but they need to be reasonably cost effective. We need to look at reworking our existing communities and in particular the legalization of secondary suites. The stature of community associations is unique in Calgary, but there is some powerful associations which do not reflect the residents. Make sure that you check this out by attending meetings and participating.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Rumor has it that credit cards are coming but what about debit cards? What are they doing to attract more C-train riders?
Answer: Yes, there are plans to increase availability to more riders by offering more payment options, In addition, increased service, improving the experience, investment in signage and fair payment options. Planning for mid 2011, we intend to have electronic signs at bus stops to notify when the next bus is coming. These signs are GPS equipped. There is smart card technology coming as well. He is unsure if the new ticket machines will give change.
______________________________________________________________________
Question: Do you see Calgary playing a larger role on the world scene?
Answer: I am focused on making Calgary a better place for Calgarians, and if the end result is that we will make a difference on a global level and that would be great. Calgary is a good example of how positive change can and does make a huge difference. Let Calgary serve as a model to the world so we can all learn from each other.
Mayor Nenshi then thanked everyone for attending a and did not rush off, allowing people to question him personally, shake his hand and even sign autographs, for as long as was required. What a refreshing change this is and certainly a first in my recollection, for any politician!
While selling real estate is what I do, it is not who I am. I enjoy participating in local events, networking and the like. I consider Calgary to be my city. If you would like me to help make it yours, why not give me a call?
Mike Leibel - 403-204-1111